Fast-breeding giant invades Venetian waterways

VENICE - The waterways of Venice have been invaded by a fast-breeding giant Chinese seaweed.

"The killer seaweed has almond eyes," said La Repubblica newspaper. "It's brown, tall, flexible, invading and a bully ... No one expected that after glassware, lace and bags, the Chinese would invade the Gulf of Venice."

The weed, Undaria pinnatifida, grows up to 3m-long, dwarfing the somewhat smelly but far smaller weed native to the Venice lagoon.

It grows quickly, at a rate of up to 1cm per day, matures after 40 to 60 days, produces millions of spores and can wipe out smaller, local weeds with ease. The only sure way of preventing its spreading, experts say, is to keep the undersides of boats immaculate.

Venice's Museum of Natural History believes the weed arrived from France in the ballast of a ship - the weed's other preferred way of getting around.

It established itself in the outer parts of the city where the flow and replenishment of water is faster. But it is feared that the weed is moving into the narrower canals in the heart of the city, which could end up being choked by it.

- INDEPENDENT