Second international campaign for public awareness of the Caulerpa taxifolia problem. An essential tool to collect cartographic data and to slow down the spread of this alga

Accidentaly introduced into the Mediterranean sea in 1984, the tropical alga Caulerpa taxifolia did not stop to spread since then. The ecological and economic threats related to this invasion incited scientist to organize a second international campaign of sensitisation, research and prevention. In 1997, 45.000 leaflets published in 6 languages (French, Italian, Castilian, Catalan, Croatian, and English) were distributed to sea users. The aim is to provide the sea users with precise and updated information on results published since 1990. A description of the alga and advice to reduce man-made dissemination are presented. Divers, yachtsmen, fishermen, and port administrators are requested to warn scientists in charge of C.taxifolia about any new sighting of colonies. This campaign enables the establishment and the consolidation of national and international informant networks which are crucial to the yearly assessment of C.taxifolia spreading in the Mediterranean sea. The expansion of the alga is one of the main element to take into account in the elaboration of a prevention strategy to fight C.taxifolia progression.