Language
Country/Area
No result found
Invaders of the Ocean: How Wakame Expanded to Become the World's Most Threatening Alien Species
Wakame (Undaria pinnatifida) is a species of seaweed native to cold temperate coastal areas, particularly in the northwest Pacific Ocean in countries such as Japan, Korea, China, and Russia. This seaweed has been consumed for centuries in East Asia and is known for its unique flavor and silky texture, often found in soups and salads. However, this delicious seafood is now expanding around the world as an unwelcome alien species, causing concerns about the ecosystem.
Wakame, in addition to being considered a delicious edible seaweed, has also been listed as one of the world's most threatened alien species in recent years.
The name Wakame comes from the Japanese word for "young seaweed," and its history can be traced back to Japan's Nara period. In Japan and Korea, local fishermen and sea farmers have successfully cultivated wakame for over a thousand years. Over time, evidence of wakame began to appear in Western literature as a popular marine food. Particularly in the 1960s, influenced by the macro-ecological diet movement and the rise of Japanese restaurants, wakame entered the U.S. market in large quantities in dried form.
Wakami’s Global Expansion
Although native primarily to cold temperate coastal regions, over the past few decades it has successfully invaded other temperate regions, including New Zealand, the United States, Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Argentina, Countries such as Australia and Mexico. According to data from 2018, environmental organizations have listed Wakame among the "100 most threatening invasive species in the world."Wakame's spread often begins on artificial structures, where its rapid growth strategy enables it to rapidly reproduce and spread to natural reef areas.
The main reason this invasion is safe is that Wakame is able to grow in a variety of environments and spread in water with its microscopic spores. Any one reproductive wakame plant can release millions of tiny spores, which can spread further via water currents or by attaching to boats and fishing gear.
Ecological impacts and governance challenges
Not only does the invasion of Wakame threaten the local ecosystem, this highly invasive species can also significantly change local biodiversity. The study suggests that the presence of Wakame could lead to a decline in the number of native algae species, affecting the organisms and ecosystems that rely on these algae. This competition can undermine the ability of native species to survive, particularly in terms of their needs for light and space.
Over-reproduction of wakame can also cause damage to aquaculture facilities, affecting fishery production and tourism.
In order to solve the problem of Wakami's spread, many countries have begun to take measures. In New Zealand, the wakame has been listed as an undesirable species since 2000, with a firm commitment to prevent its further spread. Fisheries and ecological protection regulations implemented by the government require regular inspections and daily cleaning of underwater equipment to reduce the chance of the spread of wakame spores.
Wakami’s dual identity: food and invader
Although wakame is known as a healthy food, according to research, it is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which have many benefits for the human body, including helping to control blood lipids. However, this dual identity has brought difficulties to governance. Taking Japan and South Korea as examples, wakame is widely used in dishes such as miso soup or seaweed salad, becoming part of the local population's diet. However, its invasiveness in new environments has serious impacts on indigenous ecosystems, making us wonder: when we enjoy delicious food, are we inadvertently contributing to the invasion of an alien species?
Wakame has appeared in many countries, even in the United States. Governments and ecological experts are struggling to find a balance: how to protect the ecosystem's native species while managing and exploiting this popular seafood in the market. For such a marine creature that is both threatening and delicious, future management and control strategies still need to be further explored and implemented.
Wakame’s story tells us that in the face of the challenge of invasive species, we need to constantly reflect on human choices and behaviors in order to truly and effectively maintain our marine ecosystem. What kind of marine invasive species will appear in the future?
