Stop the Aquatic Invasion in Hawai‘i! Hawaiian marine ecosystems are highly susceptible to invasion by non-native species due to biogeographical isolation, lack of natural predators, and a year-round growing season. It is estimated that over 300 non-native species are established in Hawai‘i’s marine waters, arriving primarily through shipping (biofouling, solid ballast, and ballast water). Around 90 freshwater non-native species have become established in Hawaiian freshwater streams and reservoirs, most of them imported for aquarium, bait fish, and aquaculture use. Non-native species have the potential to cause adverse impacts on biodiversity, ecosystem function, and ecosystem services. Invasive species are non-native species deemed harmful to the environment, economy, and/or human health.

Please document any non-native aquatic species found in Hawai‘i. We have created a guide "State of Hawaii: Aquatic Invasive Species" on iNaturalist, so that you can see some of the known aquatic non-natives we are interested in.

We are particularly interested in the following:

Invasive Algae: Smothering Seaweed (Kappaphycus/ Euchema sp.), Gorilla Ogo (Gracilaria salicornia), Leather Mudweed (Avrainvillea amadelpha), Hook Weed (Hypnea musciformis), Prickly Seaweed (Acanthophora spicifera).

Other Marine Invasive Species: Orange Keyhole Sponge (Mycale armata), Tilapia (Tilapia spp.), Upside-down Jellyfish (Cassiopea spp.), Peacock Grouper (Cephalopholis argus).

Freshwater Invasive Species: Banded Jewel Cichlid (Hemichromis elongatus), Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu), Green Swordtail (Xiphophorus helleri), Convict Cichlid (Archocentrus nigorfasciatus), Guppies (Poecilia reticulata), Suckermouth Catfish (Hypostomus c.f. watwata), Giant Salvinia/ Water Fern (Salvinia molesta), Asiatic Clam (Corbicula fluminea), Apple Snail (Pomacea canaliculate, P. bridgesi, P. paludosa, Pila conica), Tahitian Prawn (Macrobranchium lar).

You can visit our website http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/ais/ to find more information about invasive aquatic species found in Hawaii.

This additional data will help the State of Hawai‘i’s Aquatic Invasive Species Team to further assess where aquatic invasive species in Hawaii are located and any changes in distribution. less ↑