– The biggest risk of harbor spew spreading further is as growth on ships, drilling rigs and other vessels. – Harbor spuds can also survive at lower temperatures, which means that the species has the potential to colonize the entire Norwegian coast, all the way to Svalbard, says Director of the Norwegian Environment Agency, Ellen Hambro, in the press release. Ellen Hambro, Director of the Norwegian Environment Agency. Photo: Christopher Isachsen Sandøy / news Havnespy is an invasive, alien species that originates from the western Pacific Ocean, writes the Environment Directorate. According to the Norwegian Environment Agency, the harbor sparrow has a great potential to outcompete other species by growing over them, thereby reducing their habitats and growth opportunities. Facts about harbor sparrow Photo: Erling Svensen Scientific name: Didemnum vexillum Popular name: Japanese sea urchin, also called harbor sparrow Species group: Cape mollusks Habitat: Marine, from 0-80 meters depth and -2 to 24℃ Recruitment: Sexual reproduction – larval production at 14-20℃ , the larvae hatch within 6-24 hours. Asexual reproduction – one animal becomes two (the colony can 11-fold its size in 14 days), in addition, small pieces of the colony can be laced off and form new colonies. Origin: The species is spread over large parts of the world, but probably originally comes from Japan. Risk assessment: In 2018, the Species Data Bank assessed D. vexillum as a doorstep species. This means that the species did not reproduce in Norwegian waters, but it was expected that this would happen within 50 years. The species has now been found in several places off the coast of Norway and can no longer be described as a doorstep species for Norway. The species data bank has assessed D. vexillum as very high risk (SE). Source: Statsforvalteren.no In addition, the alien species can threaten commercial interests along the coast, such as the farming industry, they write in the press release. This is revealed in a new report from the Science Committee for Food and Environment (VKM), which was commissioned by the Norwegian Environment Agency. – Although it is highly unlikely that harbor sparrow can be eradicated from Norwegian waters, the report shows that measures against harbor sparrow are important to slow down the development and prevent it from spreading to new areas, says Hambro. – Measures against harbor spew are important to slow the development In recent years, harbor spew has been discovered in five ports in Western Norway. In the press release, the Norwegian Environment Agency writes that they therefore initiated several immediate measures to prevent spread. Among other things, small boat owners have been encouraged to regularly check their boats for harbor spew, and to clean both the boat and tools, they write. A year ago, the Norwegian Environment Agency, in collaboration with the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research, started a survey and monitoring of harbor spew. The Norwegian Environment Agency believes that the new report emphasized the need to continue with the measures. – Although it is highly unlikely that harbor sparrow can be eradicated from Norwegian waters, the report shows that measures against harbor sparrow are important to slow down the development and prevent it from spreading to new areas. – The work that is already underway to prevent harbor spew from spreading gives us time to put in place more extensive measures in relation to larger ship traffic, says the director of the Norwegian Environment Agency. Many ships visit Svalbard. Photo: Jon Olav Nesvold / NTB
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Harbor spew can spread all the way to Svalbard, according to a new risk assessment – news Troms and Finnmark
