FY 2009 Aquatic Invasive Species Response Team (AIST): Highlights•Sea Urchin Biocontrol Used in Conjunction with Mechanical Removal SuctionDevices (“Supersuckers”) in Kaneohe Bay•

Development of Sea Urchin Culture Ability at Anuenue Fisheries Research Center(AFRC) for Use as Biocontrol Agents•Rapid Response to Gracilaria salicornia Report from Kona Resort on the Big Island

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Molokai Community-Based Invasive Species Control Project
Molokai Upside-Down Jellyfish Removal Project at Kaunakakai Harbor.
AIST Partnership with University of Hawaii (UH) Researchers, The NatureConservancy (TNC) and Malama Maunalua; Working to Remove Invasive Mud
Weed (Avrainvillea amadelpha) and Restore Seagrass Habitat in Maunalua Bay
AIST Surveys and Distribution Maps for Alien Species•Rapid Response to Grounded Vessel Carrying Documented New Species in Hawaii•

AIST Assistance to DAR Ballast Water and Hull Fouling Program; Acting to Help
Prevent Movement of Potential AIS

FY2009 HISC support to AIST funded a supervisor, eight technicians, two student hires
and one AmeriCorps intern based on Oahu and the Big Island. In September 2009, theHISC approved $240,000 to support the AIST’s work in FY10 compared to the $411,400 infor FY09. The FY10 budget restrictions are going to trigger a reduction in work force andwill the limit the AIST to core functions. HISC funds are being used for a wide variety ofAIS projects that are outlined in the State of Hawaii Aquatic Invasive Species ManagementPlan.

Mechanical Removal via the “Supersucker” inKaneohe Bay with Native Sea Urchin Biocontrol

The Supersucker barges are a fleet of mechanical tools used to assist in the control of alien
invasive algae. They consist of a floating platform equipped with suction pumps and hoses
which divers utilize to remove alien algae from the reef. With support from the Hawaii Invasive
Species Council, AIST began overseeing operations of the Supersucker Project in 2009.
Although AIST/DAR is overseeing operations, the project is still managed as a partnership with
University of Hawaii and The Nature Conservancy (TNC).
In July 2008 a small patch reef, roughly 3000 m2 in Kaneohe Bay, was cleared. Consequently,
the algae re-grew to baseline levels in six months without any further intervention. In July 2009

re-clearing began on the reef using Supersucker Sr. along with help from its smaller version,
Supersucker Jr. AIST is studying the combined effects of mechanical removal and increased
native herbivory using the native collector urchin, Tripneustes gratilla, on the biomass re-growthof invasive algae. Experiments are being conducted to determine the urchins’ effectiveness ingrazing the alien algae and inhibiting its rapid re-growth after mechanical removal on a scalelarger than previous studies. Urchins were collected from Z-slab artificial reefs along the West
Coast of Oahu and then transported to the State of Hawaii’s Anuenue Fisheries Research Center(AFRC) to be quarantined. Upon completion of quarantine, the animals were transported andcarefully placed onto newly cleared sections of the reef. The urchins’ progress and/or thepossible re-growth of alien algae will be monitored to determine required stocking densities andthe efficiency of using collector urchins as a native biocontrol agent.
The artificial Z-slab reefs will be monitored to measure any impacts from urchin removal as wellas urchin population recruit and migration in the area.

Biocontrol Development and Sea Urchin Rearing

Further investigation is underway to determine long-term utility of native grazers, such as seaurchins, to assist in the control or elimination of invasive algae. The culture and outplanting of
native sea urchins may allow managers to control the growth of invasive algae without endlessmechanical removal. Previous research at the University of Hawaii has shown this method to bea highly effective tool on a small scale. Larger scale experiments would allow the tool bemonitored and altered to test further success. In order to pursue larger scale experiments, asource of urchins must be developed. Collecting a large number of urchins from the reef may
cause harm to the donor area. So, the solution is to raise urchins for the purpose of outplanting.
Urchin rearing trials will take place at AFRC utilizing the infrastructure already in place. The
rearing of large quantities of sea urchins will be implemented in conjunction with theSupersucker project in order to address invasive algae issues in a comprehensive approach.
Once urchins are available in sufficient numbers, outplanting trials will begin to test for effective
outplanting densities as well as strategies for density manipulation. All activities will be closely
monitored for algal abundance, coral health, and reef improvement.

Rapid Response to Gracilaria sp. in Kona

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In 2008, AIST was notified by a pond foreman at one of Kailua Kona’s resorts. The gentleman
expressed concern about an algal species overtaking the substrate of one of the ponds at theresort, and inquired about removal techniques. AIST investigated the concern in August 2008. Itwas observed that a Gracilaria sp. population was restricted to a single man-made, lined, selfcontained brackish water pond. In order to properly identify this Gracilaria species, preserved
samples were sent to the University of Hawaii Botany department for genetic identification. Thealga was positively identified as Gracilaria salicornia. The source was traced back to an
aquaculture facility in Kona at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NELHA).
AIST/DAR worked with the resort to eradicate the population through a variety of techniques.
The resort was able to lower the salinity in the pond by altering its well source and thepopulation has subsequently been eliminated. AIST will continue communication to ensure theeradication remains successful from the area. This project was a positive example ofgovernment and private sector maintaining good communication and collaboration when dealing
with the impacts of invasive species.

Molokai Community-Based Invasive Species Control

The AIST initiated a Molokai community-based invasive species control project with funding
from The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and HISC. AIST will conduct a year-longproject consisting of mechanical algae removal, community clean-up events, educational
workshops, and outreach activities. Gracilaria salicornia is the primary species targeted forremoval efforts. A bio-secure protocol for the processing and recycling of the alien algae isbeing developed; insuring that there will be no reintroductions and that algae biomass is utilized
in a beneficial manner. Algae re-growth monitoring will measure the success of the algae
removals. This project will serve as a model for community-based invasive species control
across Hawaii and will take place at four locations: Kaunakakai Harbor, Keawanui Fishpond,
Ualapue Fishpond & Kaloko eli Fishpond. This project has demonstrated a positive3

collaboration between government and community groups and individuals in accomplishinginvasive species control.

Molokai Upside Down Jellyfish (Cassiopeia sp.) Removal Project

In June 2009, AIST collaborated with the Molokai Invasive Species Committee (MoMISC) toremove approximately two hundred upside down jellyfish (Cassiopea sp.) from Kaunakakai’srecreational swimming area. Both organizations decided to remove the invasive jellies from thearea due to the mild sting that these species cause when disturbed. The site will be monitored
over the next year to determine removal success. Previous efforts in Hawaii have shown themanual removal of this species may be effective in its long-term control or eradication.

Maunalua Bay Alien Algae Removal andSeagrass Habitat Restoration

A study currently underway by AIST assisted by the University of Hawaii monitors thesuccession of native macroalgae/seagrass cover after the removal of Avrainvillea amadelpha in aplot site containing a mosaic of A. amadelpha, Halophila hawaiiana, and other native andnonnative algal species. The restoration area is a 40-m diameter (1256 m2) circle plot locatedapproximately 225 meters offshore Paiko Lagoon, Oahu. An estimated 235 human hours wererequired to remove an estimated 3000 kgs of Avrainvillea amadelpha from the plot. AIST has
also assisted in community cleanup events organized by TNC & Malama Maunalua to scale up
the alien algae removal effort in Maunalua Bay. These efforts and studies have help support
TNC and Malama Maunalua’s acquisition of economic stimulus funds from NOAA’s
Restoration Center.

4AIS Surveys and Distribution Mapping for 5 Alien Algae Species

AIST has been conducting visual surveys for five major invasive marine macroalgae species(Gracilaria salicornia, Kappaphycus/Euchuma spp. complex, Acanthophora spicifera,
Avrainvillea amadelpha, Hypnea musciformis) around the state since 2005. Since that time, over
40,000 data points have been collected from Oahu, Molokai, Hawaii, and Kahoolawe. Surveys
typically extend from shore to the barrier reefs of potential habitats and are conducted onsnorkel, making straight line swims from beach to reef. Portable global positioning system
devices are used to record spatial data along with relative algal abundances. Data points areimported into ArcGIS software allowing the generation of accurate maps that project algal
abundance and distribution. These maps are essential for determining further algal management
strategies and are being used to develop and implement a comprehensive approach to remove
and control the spread of non-native algae by utilizing mechanical removal, native grazers andthe reintroduction of native species.

Rapid Response to Grounded Vessels

In June 2009 AIST responded to a sailing vessel which ran aground in shallow waters East ofKapapa Island in Kaneohe Bay, Oahu. The vessel had traveled from Washington State toMexico, the Marquesas, and finally to Hawaii. AIST worked with experts to identity hull foulingorganisms attached to the hull. Three different taxa of algae were collected from the bottom ofthe hull. It was determined that two out of the three were new alien species to Hawaii andrepresent a new introduction. Among a number of invertebrates collected that are currently
established in Hawaii, two types of barnacles were also found to be alien species. The groundedvessel left two scars in the reef. The grounding and resulting scars represent a good example of apotential pathway for alien species’ introduction to Hawaii. These scars and surrounding reefs
will be further monitored in future months to determine if any of these alien species were able to5

colonize the reef. If these introductions are detected in the environment, a rapid response
eradication will be attempted.

AIST Assistance to Ballast Water and Hull Fouling Program

AIST continued to support DAR Ballast Water and Hull Fouling Program minimizing theintroduction and spread of AIS into Hawaii from vessels. Ballast water is being managed by
Hawaii’s Administrative Rules, Chapter 13-76, relating to Non-Indigenous Aquatic Species.
Rules have allowed the State to manage ballast water on a local level, by working with theshipping industry to limit the amount and reduce the risk of ballast water discharged in Hawaii’swaters. Further verification is in the planning stages with the recently acquired sampling tools
including a Ballast Water Assurance Meter which was recently approved by the US Coast Guard
as the first tool to accurately check for ballast water exchange.
Hull Fouling, which is responsible for the majority of AIS introductions to Hawaii’s waters, isbeing addressed as a high priority. DAR also continues to work with the Alien AquaticOrganism Task Force (AAOTF) to develop a comprehensive plan for preventing the introduction
and dispersal of alien aquatic organisms found on the hulls of vessels. The AAOTF includes
representatives from state and federal agencies, shipping industries, the scientific community andnon-government organizations. DAR is currently reviewing how others are managing this vector
as well as conducting studies, such as an assessment of recreational vessels in Hawaii, to get abetter understanding of how to address hull-fouling issues.
The program is conducting AIS inspections using new technologies such as a remotely operatedvehicle, a variety of pole cameras, and underwater drop cameras. Inspections are conducted onhigh-risk events such as unexpected arrivals, vessel groundings or vessels that may carry AIS.
DAR is also assisting The Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument with inspections ofvessels that enter one of the largest protected marine areas in the world. This program requiresthat 100% of the vessels (excluding US Coast Guard and Military vessels) entering intomonument waters undergo a hull inspection and certification. The Monument has very few nonnative species and rigorous inspection of vessel hulls, ballast water, ancillary and scientific gearis done to maintain the biosecurity of this potential World Heritage Site.

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