Caulerpa on beach at Blind Bay

The invasive seaweed Caulerpa has been washed up in large quantities in Okupu Blind Bay on Aotea Great Barrier Island. Okupu Blind Bay is one of the known infected areas, so finding it here was expected. Experts say it’s unlikely exotic Caulerpa has spread during the cyclone - but if you notice any weed cast outside of the known infected areas at Great Barrier and Great Mercury Islands,  please take a moment to check in case it's Caulerpa. You can use our Marine Pest ID Guide to assist the identification. Find out more about exotic Caulerpa here 

Photo credit: Darren Cleave.