Harvey's siphon weed Melanothamnus harveyi probably arrived in Europe from the Pacific Ocean together with transported oysters and by attachment to other seaweeds (Japanese wireweed Sargassum muticum and Dead man’s fingers Codium fragile or ship hulls. This red seaweed was first observed along our coast in 2000 in the Sluice Dock of Ostend. The species has already been found in our neighbouring countries. Harvey's siphon weed is small (10-15 cm) in size, and apart from growing on other non-indigenous seaweeds, the species also grows on hard substrates (quays, ropes, shellfish, etc.) along the coast, in tidal pools and harbours. |
