{"id":220809,"date":"2025-08-25T14:31:59","date_gmt":"2025-08-26T00:31:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=220809"},"modified":"2025-08-26T14:00:02","modified_gmt":"2025-08-27T00:00:02","slug":"waikiki-aquarium-soest-tackle-invasive-coral-threat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2025\/08\/25\/waikiki-aquarium-soest-tackle-invasive-coral-threat\/","title":{"rendered":"Waik\u012bk\u012b Aquarium and SOEST<\/abbr> host workshop to tackle invasive coral threat in Hawai\u2018i"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

\"Unomia<\/p>\n

Resource managers and leading marine invasive species experts from Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>, Florida, and U.S.<\/abbr> Territories recently gathered in Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> for the Unomia Learning Exchange Workshop, a critical meeting focused on preventing and responding to new threats to coral reefs. During the workshop, organized by the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species (CGAPS<\/abbr>) at the University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> at M\u0101noa, participants shared knowledge and strategize against the spread of high-risk invasive species, particularly those stemming from the illegal release or outplanting of marine aquarium species, and high-risk coral diseases such as Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease.<\/p>\n

The event focused on the alarming rise of species originating from the marine aquarium trade, particularly a soft coral known as Unomia stolonifera<\/em>. This species has rapidly overwhelmed reefs in Venezuela and has now been found in Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>, where an eradication effort is underway. Similarly, Xenia umbellata<\/em>, another popular aquarium soft coral, was recently discovered on reefs in Puerto Rico. These cases underscore the urgent need for a unified response to the illegal release of aquarium animals.<\/p>\n

“The release of these species, whether intentional or accidental, poses a significant threat to our fragile marine ecosystems,” said Christy Martin, Program Manager for CGAPS<\/abbr>, a project of the Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit, UH<\/abbr> Manoa. “This workshop provided a vital platform for experts to learn from each other\u2019s successes and challenges. By sharing what we know, we can build stronger defenses to protect our reefs from these aggressive invaders.”<\/p>\n

A key component of the workshop was a tabletop exercise where participants simulated a rapid response scenario to a Unomia<\/em> detection. This exercise, which followed the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force guidelines, helped inform the development of comprehensive response plans for state and territorial waters. The workshop also previewed a new planning tool from the U.S. Geological Survey\u2019s Species Invasion Rapid Response Information Network to help communities create their own early detection and rapid response plans.<\/p>\n

Attendees also visited the Waik\u012bk\u012b Aquarium to get a firsthand look at live samples of invasive species like Unomia stolonifera<\/em>. The Aquarium is a unit of the UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology<\/a> and is a partner in the state\u2019s “Don\u2019t Let It Loose” campaign, which educates the public about the severe consequences of releasing aquarium animals.<\/p>\n

In Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>, the possession or import of non-native marine aquarium animals requires a special permit that is not available to individuals or businesses and is a felony, with penalties that can include large fines and prison time. To provide an alternative, the Aquarium also serves as an official amnesty drop-off site where people can surrender illegal aquatic animals without penalty. Amnesty locations include Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity offices statewide.<\/p>\n

The workshop was supported by a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Coral Reef Stewardship Fund to the University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> at M\u0101noa Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit, with additional support from the Hauʻoli<\/span> Mau Loa Foundation and Bishop Museum. This collaboration highlights the critical role of partnerships in tackling complex environmental challenges and protecting the health of our oceans.<\/p>\n

See more on the KITV<\/abbr> News story<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Participants from around the world met to mitigate the spread of the invasive coral. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[92,9,302],"class_list":["post-220809","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","tag-school-of-ocean-and-earth-science-and-technology","tag-uh-manoa","tag-waikiki-aquarium","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t