Introduced brown algae in the North East Atlantic, with particular respectto Undaria pinnatifida (Harvey) Suringar

The recent introduction of the macroalga Undaria pinnatifida (Harvey) Surin gar into the North Atlantic is the latest of a large number of introduction s, which have occurred over many years. Some have been deliberate introduct ions for mariculture or research, while most have been accidental, via Vect ors such as shipping and shellfish imports. Not all newly recorded species are introductions; some are thought to be merely extensions of distribution , e.g. Laminaria ochroleuca, while others may have been overlooked previous ly, e.g. Scytosiphon dotyi. Subsequent to its accidental introduction into the waters around the Mediterranean French toast at Sete, most likely with imported oysters, Undaria was deliberately introduced into the North Atlant ic, to Brittany, in 1983 by IFREMER for commercial exploitation. Undaria ha s since spread from the original sites in Brittany, and is now established at several sites on the south coast of England. This paper discusses the in troduced brown algae in the North Atlantic and outlines the establishment o f Undaria in the UK.