The Eradication of Snowflake Coral on the Island of Kauai: 18 Months Later Anthony Montgomery Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources Department of Land and Natural Resources

Carijoa riisei Snowflake Coral Octocoral originally thought to be from Caribbean, Octocoral originally thought to be from Caribbean, but now believed to be from Western Pacific but now believed to be from Western Pacific Shown to be highly invasive in deeper waters off Maui Shown to be highly invasive in deeper waters off Maui Widespread throughout main Hawaiian Islands Widespread throughout main Hawaiian Islands with the possible exception of Kauai County with the possible exception of Kauai County Fast growth rates (0.5 – 2.0 cm/week) Fast growth rates (0.5 – 2.0 cm/week) Reproduction – dioecious, asynchronous, continuous, larvae negatively buoyant, and has high fecundity Reproduction – dioecious, asynchronous, continuous, larvae negatively buoyant, and has high fecundity Habitat – hard substrate, low light, and moderate flow Habitat – hard substrate, low light, and moderate flow

Strategy GOAL: Eradicate Carijoa from Kauai GOAL: Eradicate Carijoa from Kauai Treat Port Allen Treat Port Allen Largest known reproductive population Perfect case study for large scale proof of concept Survey and Treat reef populations (information from outreach to be used) Survey and Treat reef populations (information from outreach to be used) Address vectors and potential reintroductions Address vectors and potential reintroductions

Area = 2839 m 2 Length = 370 m 738 pilings (7-10 m depth)

Before 3 meters After

Timeline 2001 – First Kauai siting by Bishop Museum 2001 – First Kauai siting by Bishop Museum July 2004 – Assessment of Port Allen July 2004 – Assessment of Port Allen Oct 2005 – Begin Port Allen wrapping Oct 2005 – Begin Port Allen wrapping May 2006 – Finish Port Allen wrapping May 2006 – Finish Port Allen wrapping May 2006 – April 2007 Port Allen survey/treatment May 2006 – April 2007 Port Allen survey/treatment April 2007 – Finish Port Allen unwrapping April 2007 – Finish Port Allen unwrapping

July 2005 Aug 2006 May 2007

July 2005 Aug 2006 May 2007

Lessons Developing program capacities concurrently Developing program capacities concurrently Lack of technologies Lack of technologies Lack of well defined plan from beginning and understanding of resources Lack of well defined plan from beginning and understanding of resources Maintaining moral and communication with key staff Maintaining moral and communication with key staff

July2004

September2006

October2006

November2006

December2006

January2007

March2007

April2007

Future What’s next: Continued technology development Assess Port Allen situation Continue surveys