Squirt alert
A small colony of an invasive species called carpet sea squirt has been found at Largs in the Firth of Clyde. This is the first sighting of the species in Scotland, although it’s previously been found in Wales, Ireland and the south coast of England. The carpet sea squirt (shown on the right in the picture alongside) is thought to have come originally from Japan. It can reproduce and spread rapidly and tends to smother other marine life growing on the seabed. It’s especially good at growing over underwater structures such as fish farming equipment, boat hulls and pontoons. Experience from other parts of the world has highlighted it as a potential nuisance species that causes economic and environmental problems. The carpet sea squirt is most likely to spread by attaching itself to the hulls of
boats. It’s a distinctive mustard, pale orangey-yellow or beige colour and often appears as pale flat patches. Larger growths may look like wax dripping from artificial structures just below water level. Its surface has leaf-like veins with tiny pores and it has a spongy texture and a leathery feel to it. SNH, Marine Scotland and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency are planning how to deal with the discovery of the carpet sea squirt in Scottish waters. As with any marine non-native species, removal is difficult and costly. However, a recent programme to remove it from Holyhead harbour in Wales had some success, and it’s hoped that a similar response in Scotland could prevent further spread. For more information about the carpet sea squirt, visit
www.snh.org.uk/
carpetseasquirt. If you think you may have seen this species, please email
carpetseasquirt@snh.gov.uk
Rise in bird of prey poisonings
The number of birds of prey being killed with poison in Scotland has increased, according to new figures. Twenty-two poisonings were recorded in 2009, resulting in 27 dead raptors, including 19 buzzards, four red kites and two golden eagles. A map pointing to ‘poison hotspots’ in Scotland for 2009 showed the area with the highest number of incidents was Tayside, where nine were recorded. The 2009 deaths were up on 2008, but the same as 2007 and lower than
2006. The most common type of poison used to kill the animals was carbofuran. The 2009 map showed that in the past year there were five birds poisoned in Lothian and Borders, three in the Highlands and three across Strathclyde. In Grampian and Dumfries and Galloway, police dealt with one incident of poisoning each.
Scotland’s environment minister, Roseanna Cunningham, said the figures were a ‘wake-up call’ to those who thought these poisoning incidents were declining. “This continued persecution of our precious wildlife is simply incomprehensible,” she added. “Poisoning is an arbitrary method of killing which poses serious risks to other animals, and potentially people, in our countryside.”
26 The Nature of Scotland
NEWS
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