An invasive alien marine species, the carpet sea squirt, has been discovered in Strangford Lough during a routine environmental inspection three weeks ago. The creature, which can smother native species, poses a serious threat to the lough's ecology and economy if not controlled.
Joe Breen of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency warned that the sea squirt grows rapidly over living creatures and seaweed, outcompeting most species. As it is native to Japan, it has no known predators in UK waters, making control difficult.
The species spreads primarily via boat hulls, but larvae and fragments can also be transported by fishing equipment and tidal currents. In Wales, a similar infestation at Holyhead required a £600,000 clean-up operation.
Efforts to remove the sea squirt from Strangford Lough are hampered by strong currents, limiting divers to just a couple of hours per day. The creatures breed in winter, releasing tadpole-like young, and thrive in warmer conditions.
The Department of Environment is assessing the extent of the infestation to determine the best course of action. Failure to address the issue could have severe consequences for sailors, fishermen, and the entire lough ecosystem.
