an algae , responsible for large-scale destruction of European sea habitats, has been discovered in Agua Hedionda near San Diego, usa . "The algae ( Caulerpa taxifolia ) destroys the water bed and kills the flora and fauna," says Bob Hoffmann, southern California environmental coordinator for the National Marine Fisheries Service.

Divers discovered the algae while monitoring eel grass for a power plant. "The algae may have ended up in the sea after someone emptied the contents of their aquarium into a storm drain or a lagoon," believes Hoffmann. In 1999, officials had banned the sale of the algae for aquarium use.

"It will be destroyed without delay, but the effects on commercial and recreation fishing in the coastal area will be severe," says Hoffman. C taxifolia is toxic in nature and forces fishes to go in search of a new habitat.So far, the algae has destroyed more than 4,050 hectares of sea habitat along the Mediterranean coast. The bright green, feather-like algae grows very fast and there have been speculations that it is genetically mutated.