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Story: Marine invaders

Undaria on yacht hull

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Undaria on yacht hull

Undaria pinnatifida, a brown seaweed, grows on any firm surface. When established on the hulls of boats, it is easily transported to uninfected areas, where it sheds spores that start new colonies. Boats that are moored for some time are more likely to develop a garden like this one, and unless boat owners regularly clean the hulls, they can introduce pest organisms to new sites.

Using this item

Department of Conservation

Reference: 10039548

by C. H. Hay

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How to cite this page

Christina Troup, Marine invaders – Invasive marine algae and plants in New Zealand, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/8676/undaria-on-yacht-hull (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Christina Troup, published 2 March 2009.