Undaria
wakame (Undaria)
In Japanese.
Undaria pinnatifida
Undaria Status
| Status | Sustainable |
| Summary | The Undaria fishery in Tasmania is based on an invasive species. Strict biosecurity conditions apply to all licences, mitigating the spread of the species into new areas. |
| Stock | Tasmanian Undaria |
| Indicator(s) | Catch; licence conditions |
Undaria pinnatifida is an invasive kelp species originally native to coastal areas of Russia and Asia, with extensive populations in Japan, North Korea, and China (South et al 2017). It was first recorded in Tasmanian waters in 1988 (Sanderson and Barrett 1989) and is now established as a winter annual, particularly prevalent in eastern Tasmania (Hurd et al 2023). Commercial harvest of Undaria is conducted by the Tasmanian Marine Plant Fishery as part of the Commercial Dive Fishery (Wild Fisheries Management Branch 2024). Tasmanian Undaria is primarily used for the production of fucoidan compounds, which are used in food supplements, cosmetics, and in medical research (Hurd et al 2023).
