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Please watch for this invasive seaweed!

The non-native brown seaweed Sargassum filicinum was initially discovered in Long Beach Harbor in 2003, then Kathy Ann Miller and Channel Island Research Program divers found it in a few locations at Santa Catalina Island last spring. 

    Already this invasive seaweed appears to be spreading rapidly. This fall we observed it to be much more abundant at the initial Catalina location and found it in patches at most other sites we dove, including Bird Rock, Isthmus Reef, Pumpernickel Cove and Big Geiger Cove in the Isthmus area, as well as miles away to the east at Hen Rock (east of Long Point). In September, Constance Gramlich's keen eye found it at Point Loma, San Diego - the first known mainland outer coast location!