Photo courtesy of C. Woods, NIWA.
Source: NIMPIS
Author: Rupert Summerson
Overview
Carpet sea squirt is a colonial ascidian that is thought to be native to Japan. It is a filter feeder that can overgrow everything and spread over large areas. It is a known invasive species that has invaded localities in many places around the world.
It was found in Western Australia for the first time in Australia in April 2020 and has since spread to Sydney.
ABARES used the Species Range Mapping modelling method to generate a map showing its maximum potential range based on its known temperature tolerances.
Key finding
Didemnum vexillum could potentially become established in localities along the coasts of Western Australia south of and including Shark Bay, South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales and Queensland south of Gladstone.
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