Giant kelp
Macrocystis pyrifera
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Photo credit: Shannon DeVaney
Macrocystis pyrifera - Giant kelp
Habitat:
Description:
Origin and Distribution:
Impacts:
Is it found in Northern Ireland? Not currently in Northern Ireland
How could it get here?
You can help by reporting any sightings: @ the Centre for Environmental Data & Recording (CEDaR) - Or via the iRecord App.
Prevent Spread
Current Legislation Position (Northern Ireland only):
Macrocystis pyrifera - Giant kelp
Habitat:
- Temperate coastal marine waters
Description:
- Can grow to 65m
- Long blade-like green leaves with a gas filled float
- Can form very dense forest like conditions
- Produce eggs which are then fertilised by male plants
Origin and Distribution:
- Native to eastern Pacific Ocean
- Range includes all temperate waters in Southern Ocean
Impacts:
- Causes shade as it grows preventing photosynthesis and reducing oxygen levels
- Fast growing so could outcompete other organisms changing the ecosystem
Is it found in Northern Ireland? Not currently in Northern Ireland
How could it get here?
- Brought into GB for use in alginate production
You can help by reporting any sightings: @ the Centre for Environmental Data & Recording (CEDaR) - Or via the iRecord App.
Prevent Spread
- Promote native species and biodiversity - use alternative, native plants
- Know what you are buying/growing and source native Irish seed and plants
- Do not swap plants and cuttings
- Follow control advice and watch out for hitchhikers - inspect new imported purchases for invasive pest and pathogens
- Clean equipment before moving between waterbodies
- Never collect plants from the wild
- Safe disposal of plant material and growing media
- Record all sightings.
Current Legislation Position (Northern Ireland only):
- Macrocystis pyrifera is listed in Schedule 9 of the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 and as such, under Article 15 it is an offence to plant or otherwise cause this species to grow in the wild.