Dog honored for tracking invasive marine sea squirt

A black Labrador based in northern Scotland has received the animal of the year prize from the International Fund for Animal Welfare after learning to track an aggressive non-native sea creature. Sgiath, a six-year-old canine, is believed to be the first dog in the United Kingdom trained to hunt carpet sea squirts along coastal shores.

The invasive organism, scientifically named Didemnum vexillum and informally referred to as sea vomit, poses significant dangers to coastal ecosystems and marine commerce. Originating from Japan, it arrived along southern British and Welsh coasts in 2008 and has since spread. Marine specialists note that the creature multiplies rapidly during warmer summer conditions and threatens native fauna by monopolizing essential nutrients and smothering underwater life.

Sgiath searches shorelines during low tides alongside her handler, marine ecologist Dr. Texa Sim. The pair has located hundreds of colonies, which often resemble slimy patches clinging to pontoons, seaweed, or shellfish farming equipment. While human observers struggle to distinguish the organism visually, the Labrador relies on scent to pinpoint its precise presence beneath coastal vegetation.

Before entering marine conservation, Sgiath prepared as a search canine for mountain rescue operations. While locating stranded hikers required energetic barking and jumping, detecting coastal invaders demands a completely different reaction. Sim trained the dog to remain still and stare directly at the target upon finding a specimen, providing a quiet alert signal.

Managing biofouling organisms across European waters incurs millions of pounds annually, as the pests regularly obstruct vessel propellers, aquaculture enclosures, and harbor infrastructure. Dr. Martyn Kurr, a Bangor University researcher, highlighted that dogs offer promising help because they can detect subtle olfactory shifts in water that indicate hidden biological invasions.