“Caulerpa taxifolia is an invasive marine alga that is widely used as a decorative plant in aquaria. A cold-tolerant strain was inadvertently introduced into the Mediterranean Sea in wastewater from the Oceanographic Museum at Monaco, where it has now spread over more than 13,000 hectares of seabed. Caulerpa taxifolia forms dense monocultures that prevent the establishment of native seaweeds and excludes almost all marine life, affecting the livelihoods of local fishermen.”

(NIMPIS 2011, Caulerpa taxifolia general information, National Introduced Marine Pest Information System, viewed 29 January 2011 <http://www.marinepests.gov.au/nimpis>)

See also: Southern California Caulerpa Action Team