California Anglers and Boaters Join the Fight Against an Invasive Threat
California’s kelp forests are among the most important marine habitats on the West Coast, providing food, shelter, and nursery grounds for countless fish and marine species. But these underwater forests face a growing threat from an invasive seaweed known as “Devil Weed” (Sargassum horneri), and CCA California is working to make sure the recreational fishing and boating community understands what’s at stake.
To help raise awareness, CCA California recently launched its Help the Kelp campaign, an ongoing effort focused on educating anglers, divers, and boaters about the spread of Devil Weed and the role they can play in slowing its expansion. The campaign was introduced during the Pacific Coast Sportfishing Shows in Orange County and San Diego, where CCA representatives met with thousands of outdoor enthusiasts and shared information about this increasingly serious environmental challenge.
“This is an important issue that boaters and anglers need to be aware of,” said Doug Lasko, president of CCA California.
Originally introduced from Japan and Korea through international shipping activity, Sargassum horneri has been spreading through Southern California waters for more than two decades. Unlike California’s native kelp species, Devil Weed thrives during warm-water cycles and can quickly establish dense growth that displaces native kelp forests. As ocean conditions continue to favor its expansion, marine scientists have become increasingly concerned about its long-term impact on coastal ecosystems.
Healthy kelp forests support an incredible diversity of marine life and play a vital role in California’s coastal waters. When invasive species begin to dominate these habitats, the effects can ripple throughout the food web, impacting everything from baitfish and gamefish to invertebrates and marine mammals.
CCA California believes the fishing, diving, and boating communities can become an important part of the solution through awareness and responsible practices on the water.
“Our goal is to educate, inform and motivate anglers, divers, and boaters,” Lasko explained. “This means recognizing Sargassum horneri when you encounter it, not contributing to the spread by moving or disturbing it, and reporting where you find it through established websites. Through these actions, we can be an important part of the solution.”
The organization is encouraging water users to learn how to identify Devil Weed, report sightings through MarineInvasives.org, and take precautions to prevent unintentionally transporting fragments of the invasive seaweed to new locations. Anglers and boaters are urged to inspect anchors, lines, fishing gear, and decks before moving to another area, while boat owners should thoroughly clean hulls and equipment after returning to port or placing their vessel on a trailer.
According to Luke Burson, chair of CCA California’s Habitat Committee, the effort is only beginning.
“This wasn’t a one-time deal for the PCS shows,” Burson said. “We will continue supporting the organizations and marine scientists who are working on this problem by spreading the word and educating people about how they can help.”
In the months ahead, CCA California plans to distribute educational materials online and in print, promote awareness at chapter and statewide events, and deliver presentations to fishing clubs throughout Southern California. The goal is simple: build a network of informed anglers, divers, and boaters who can help protect California’s native kelp forests before the problem becomes even more widespread.
For those who spend time on the water, helping can be as simple as learning to recognize Devil Weed, reporting sightings, and taking a few extra minutes to inspect and clean equipment before heading home. Small actions, multiplied across thousands of anglers and boaters, can make a meaningful difference in protecting one of California’s most valuable marine resources.
To learn more about the campaign and how you can get involved, visit CCACalifornia.org.