appendix b final 2008 biological surveys of los angeles and long ...

7.0 Kelp and Macroalgae
pose a significant economic problem as a fouling agent. Undaria is introduced primarily on boat
hulls and in ballast water.
Undaria was documented during the present study at all eight inner harbor sites and at 7 of 12
outer harbor locations. Undaria has also been reported at Port Hueneme, Santa Barbara
Harbor, and Catalina Island (MEC 2002), and as far north as Monterey Bay and as far south as
Ensenada, Mexico (Chapman 2005). It is believed by many scientists that a successful
eradication is not possible due to its mode of reproduction, which involves the release of millions
of motile spores that are readily spread locally through natural dispersion and to remote locales
by shipping traffic. If this species becomes a major competitor in the kelp forest, commercial
harvesting could represent a control option, similar to an approach used in France (Chapman
2005).
In comparison to Sargassum and Undaria, the highly invasive green algae Caulerpa (NMFS
2008) was not detected or encountered in either Port, although surveys for this species were not
comprehensive or targeted during the study. The Ports are required to conduct Caulerpa
surveys prior to any dredging project, in accordance with established Caulerpa protocols (NMFS
2008) and have never detected Caulerpa during any of these surveys.
Table 7.3-1. Relative Density of Kelp Beds Surveyed and Delineated
(Percent of Total Area).
February 2008 September 2008
Density % of total area Density % of total area
Dense 12 % Dense 0 %
Moderate 71.4 % Moderate 12 %
Sparse 16.6 % Sparse 88 %
2008 Biological Surveys of Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbors 7–9
April 2010