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_Sky said:
WHY are they not wanted? Why are they considered a pest, because they land on boat bottoms??? I think there are plenty of things that are gross... this one's kinda cute like ET lying down imo

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They are classed as pests because they have a negative impact on the marine ecosystem.

There are NATIVE seasquirts which are fine - they are kept in place with nature's usual checks and balances in the food chain.

But the problem is an incursion a species that is a foreign invader (Styela Clava). They cause some problems in the ecosystem - and the biggest issue is that they attach to mussel and oyster lines, suffocating shellfish. Not very good for people in the seafood industry who make their living off harvesting shellfish

They are actually kinda gross - they have leathery icky skin.

Just to clarify, I don't have to play with them or anything - our job is to work out how to get yachties and boaties and fishing people to regularly clean and antifoul their vessels, so that the sea squirts don't spread from one location to another and affect more harvests.

So it's social marketing stuff - changing people's behaviour to create a socially desirable outcome.

It's fun cos I get to go and hang out on some really awesome launches and yachts at the marinas!!!!