Charleston, SC -In recent years, South Carolina shrimpers have battled low prices for shrimp and now comes a new headache, a seaweed invasion.

College of Charleston researcher Erik Sotka says two types of seaweed not usually not found in the area have come to the coast.

Polysiphonia has been found off North Carolina but usually isn't found off the South Carolina coast. But a bloom in May fouled the nets of shrimpers off Beaufort.

A second seaweed, Gracilaria is a newcomer from Japan. It grows in South Carolina's estuaries where the high tidal range generally prevents other species of seaweed from growing.

Sotka is planning studies to determine the impact of Gracilaria on the food web.

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