The Solent Forum

Working in partnership for the future

Invasive Species Information

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The Solent, much of which is designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Area (SPA), is noted as a key entry point for Invasive Non Native Species (INNS) into the UK due to its high volumes of international shipping and recreational boating, both major vectors of INNS. These INNS pose a threat to the Solent’s native biodiversity and fishery industries, especially shellfisheries,due to their potential to threaten native species, habitats or whole ecosystems.The Solent had one of the largest self-sustaining stocks of native oyster (Ostrea edulis) in Europe and the increasing dominance of the invasive slipper limpet (Crepidula fornicata) is one of the reasons for its displacement. The invasive carpet sea squirt (Didemnum vexillum) is also present, and has the potential to spread outside marinas/harbours having a smothering effect, covering habitats in thick sheet-like growths and interfering with fishery and aquaculture operations (Source Natural England, 2022).

INNS and Designated Sites

The Solent Maritime Special Area of Conservation is in unfavourable condition, partly due to the presence of INNS. All relevant authorities in the Solent have a duty, under the Habitats Regulations 2017, to work towards making the site favourable, which means addressing issues that affect its condition.

Solent Target Species List

Key: M = present in marinas, S = present on shores

 

Species

EMFF 2018/19

Surveys 2022

Combined current distribution

Ascidians

Aplidium cf. glabrum

MS

MS

MS

 

Asterocarpa humilis

S

M

MS

 

Botrylloides violaceus

MS

MS

MS

 

Botrylloides diegensis

MS

MS

MS

 

Ciona robusta

 

 

 

 

Corella eumyota

MS

MS

MS

 

Didemnum vexillum

MS

MS

MS

 

Perophora japonica

MS

MS

MS

 

Styela clava

MS

M

MS

Bryozoans

Bugula neritina

MS

MS

MS

 

Bugulina fulva

MS

M

MS

 

Bugulina simplex

MS

M

MS

 

Bugulina stolonifera

MS

MS

MS

 

Schizoporella japonica

 

 

 

 

Tricellaria inopinata

MS

MS

MS

 

Watersipora subatra

MS

MS

MS

Sponges

Celtodoryx ciocalyptoides

 

 

 

Anemones

Diadumene lineata

MS

 

MS

Molluscs

Arcuatula senhousia

M (dead)

 

MS

 

Crepidula fornicata

MS

MS

MS

 

Ensis leei

 

 

 

 

Magallana gigas

MS

MS

MS

 

Mercenaria mercenaria

S

S

S

 

Ocinebrellus inornatus

 

 

 

 

Rapana venosa

 

 

 

 

Ruditapes philippinarum

S

S

S

 

Urosalpinx cinerea

 

 

 

Annelid worms

Bispira polyomma

 

M

 

 

Ficopomatus enigmaticus

MS

MS

MS

 

Hydroides dianthus

MS

 

MS

 

Hydroides elegans

 

 

M

 

Hydroides ezoensis

MS

MS

MS

Arthropods

Ammothea hilgendorfi

MS

MS

MS

 

Amphibalanus amphitrite

MS

 

MS

 

Amphibalanus improvisus

MS

MS

MS

 

Austrominius modestus

MS

MS

MS

 

Caprella mutica

MS

M

MS

 

Dyspanopeus sayi

 

 

 

 

Eriocheir sinensis

 

 

 

 

Hemigrapsus sanguineus

 

 

 

 

Hemigrapsus takanoi

 

 

 

 

Hesperibalanus fallax

 

 

 

Brown algae

Colpomenia peregrina

MS

MS

MS

 

Sargassum muticum

MS

MS

MS

 

Undaria pinnatifida

MS

M

MS

Red algae

Asparagopsis armata

 

 

S

 

Bonnemaisonia hamifera

 

 

S

 

Caulacanthus okamurae

 

S

S

 

Botryocladia wrightii

 

 

 

 

Gracilaria vermiculophylla

 

 

 

 

Grateloupia turuturu

MS

MS

MS

 

Melanothamnus harveyi

S

 

MS

 

Pikea californica

 

 

 

 

Solieriaceae

S

 

S

Green algae

Codium fragile fragile

S

S

MS

 

Umbraulva dangeardii

M

 

MS

 


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