SAN DIEGO - The City of San Diego today sent out over 250 letters to pet and aquarium suppliers asking business owners to help educate their customers about the dangers of Caulerpa taxifolia, also referred to as "killer algae." Caulerpa is a green algae native to tropical ocean waters that can form a dense blanket that smothers the bottom of the ocean and can endanger, if not destroy, the native plants and animal life in a particular region.

Caulerpa taxifolia was discovered in San Diego County's Agua Hedionda Lagoon in June of 2000 and is believed to have originated from an unknowing individual dumping their aquarium outdoors. In July of 2001, San Diego City Council adopted Ordinance 18967 banning the sale and the possession of Caulerpa. The penalty for possession or sale is a $250 fine that can be suspended if the owner properly disposes of the plant.

As stated by Councilman Scott Peters, author of the City's ordinance, "I am pleased that we are taking proactive measures to prevent this noxious weed from getting into our precious marine reserves. The point of this ordinance is to educate and prevent infestation, not punish, and I think this letter to pet store owners will achieve that result."

In addition to the letter, a poster, depicting the specifics of Caulerpa taxifolia, was also sent to business owners so that they can display it for public view.

For more information on Caulerpa taxifolia, please visit the National Marine Fisheries Web site at http://swr.nmfs.noaa.gov, or the State Water Resources Control Board Region Nine at www.rb9swrcb.ca.gov.