US Navy launches plan to return Pearl Harbor's pest-infested waters to its former glory: 'An absolute … emergency'
Story by Cassidy Lovell • 11h
This invasive coral is wreaking havoc on Pearl Harbor, but a new method might just remove it.
Over 80 acres of water at Pearl Harbor, which is in O'ahu, Hawai'i, are infested with an invasive species of coral. Unomia stolonifera is a soft coral; unlike hard coral, which has a strong, calcium skeleton, soft coral is jelly-like and usually spreads more quickly.
According to Hawai'i Public Radio, experts believe the coral was introduced when "aquariums were dumped into the water" in 2020.
For years, the coral has been running rampant and growing over the hard coral, effectively suffocating it. By killing off the native species, the coral will "disrupt entire ecosystems and cause significant problems for reef fish populations," HPR said.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/us-navy-launches-plan-to-return-pearl-harbor-s-pest-infested-waters-to-its-former-glory-an-absolute-emergency/ar-AA1v9s9r?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=HCTS&cvid=4b3e8c129e6f4eedb20a050644184543&ei=29
