Invasive Algae
Invasive algae (seaweed) poses a significant threat to Hawaii’s coral reefs. Invasive seaweed smothers coral and degrades the environment needed by native fish, invertebrates, and limu. One of the main projects under the AIS team is the control of Kappaphycus/Eucheuma, also known as Smothering seaweed, along with a variety of other species. See below for information about the five main species of alien invasive algae in Hawaii.
Smothering seaweed killing coral in Kaneohe Bay
Invasive Algae of Hawaii