A black Labrador named Sgiath has been honoured as Animal of the Year by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) for her groundbreaking work in detecting an invasive marine creature nicknamed ‘sea vomit’. Sgiath, thought to be the UK’s first sea squirt-hunting dog, helps locate colonies of the carpet sea squirt (Didemnum vexillum), which poses a significant threat to coastal wildlife and economies.
Working alongside her owner, marine ecologist Dr Texa Sim, Sgiath has successfully identified hundreds of colonies of the carpet sea squirt. If left unchecked, this organism can smother and kill native species, impacting fragile ecosystems and aquaculture businesses across the UK.
Understanding the ‘Sea Vomit’ Threat
Formally known as Didemnum vexillum, the carpet sea squirt earned its evocative nickname due to its appearance, often described as slime-like and found in shades from orange to cream among seaweed or on structures like pontoons and oyster cages. Marine experts believe the species originated in Japan and arrived on the shores of the south of England and Wales in 2008, subsequently spreading to several seaside locations across the UK.
Dr Martyn Kurr, a marine biologist from Bangor University, explained that non-native species like the carpet sea squirt can outcompete native wildlife for vital nutrients. He noted, “These species also clog up aquaculture pens, marine infrastructure, and machinery such as boat propellors.” The economic impact is substantial, with efforts to control and clean up these invaders costing millions of pounds annually across Europe. The problem is exacerbated by warming seas, which allow the sea squirt to reproduce quickly and spread further during warmer summer months, according to the BBC.
Sgiath’s Unique Detection Skills
Sgiath, a six-year-old Labrador, was initially trained as a mountain rescue dog. Dr Sim, based near Glencoe, recognised her dog’s exceptional problem-solving abilities and quick learning, leading her to explore a novel application in marine conservation. “No one had really explored whether dogs could help tackle this problem in the marine environment,” Dr Sim told the Herald, calling it a proof-of-concept project that “has exceeded every expectation.”
Trained to recognise the specific scent of the carpet sea squirt, Sgiath accompanies Dr Sim at low tide, using her nose to pinpoint colonies that are often difficult for humans to spot. Dr Sim highlighted the dog’s accuracy: “She just does a survey with her nose, essentially, she can pinpoint exactly where it is, so it’s much easier.” Unlike specialist laboratory analysis and DNA testing required for human identification, Sgiath offers a rapid and cost-effective detection tool, giving a “passive indication” when she finds the sea squirt.
Sgiath’s success has paved the way for a protégé, Uisge, a three-year-old Labrador, who has joined the team, further demonstrating the potential of scent detection dogs in conservation. Dr Kurr from Bangor University noted, “scientists were just starting to realise that ‘these wonderful animals can smell changes in water that signal a marine invasion which otherwise might have gone unnoticed’.”
Could Merseyside’s Coastline Benefit?
Given that the carpet sea squirt has already spread to “several seaside locations across the UK” and poses a threat to coastal economies and native species, innovative detection methods like Sgiath’s could be crucial for regions like Merseyside. The rapid, accurate, and cost-effective identification of this invasive species could allow for earlier intervention, potentially saving local aquaculture businesses and protecting the diverse marine life found along the Merseyside coastline from severe ecological and economic damage. As warming seas continue to facilitate its spread, the approach pioneered by Sgiath and Dr Sim offers a promising new tool in the ongoing battle against marine invaders.