The carpet sea squirt (Didemnum vexillum) is an invasive marine species in the UK, first recorded in the early 2000s. Native to the. northwest Pacific, it has spread globally through hull fouling and aquaculture activities. In the UK, it is found in habours, marines, and coastal waters, where it forms extensive colonies that smother native marine life and alter habitats by covering substrates like rocks, shells, and artificial structures. Its rapid growth and resilience make it a significant ecological and economic concern.
