How Sgiath the Labrador Finds Invasive Sea Squirts

The Labrador is trained to find carpet sea squirt colonies by scent, giving researchers another way to locate the invasive species.

Nature & AnimalsOctober 15, 20263 min readHow Sureno writes this

The short version

Sgiath is trained to recognise the scent of carpet sea squirt, an invasive marine organism also called “sea vomit.” ¹²
She works with marine ecologist Dr Texa Sim during low-tide coastal surveys, locating colonies that can be hard to identify by sight. ¹²
The sea squirt can smother native species and threaten oyster farms and other marine infrastructure if it spreads unchecked. ¹³
Sgiath has found hundreds of colonies, but the sources do not establish how much her work has reduced the species’ spread. ¹⁴

How does Sgiath the dog detect sea vomit?

Sgiath is a black Labrador trained to recognise the scent of carpet sea squirt, whose scientific name is Didemnum vexillum. Her handler, marine ecologist Dr Texa Sim, takes her along the coast to search for the organism, often at low tide. ¹²

A dog’s scent detection gives researchers a way to look for the species without relying only on what they can see. One report says identification can require specialist laboratory analysis and DNA testing, while Sgiath can locate its scent among other marine life. ² The available reports do not describe the training method in detail.

What is carpet sea squirt, and why is it called sea vomit?

Carpet sea squirt is an invasive marine organism. “Sea vomit” is a nickname used for it in news reports; the sources provided do not explain how that nickname originated. ¹²

It can spread across harbours, oyster farms and other marine infrastructure. Dense growth can cover and harm native wildlife, and it can threaten aquaculture businesses. ¹³ In this context, invasive means a species that spreads in a place and can cause harm to local ecosystems or activities.

How can a dog help control an invasive marine species?

Finding a colony is not the same as removing it. Sgiath’s role is detection: she helps Sim locate places where the sea squirt may be growing. Earlier detection can help researchers and others monitor where it is present, but the reports do not specify which control methods are used after a colony is found. ²³

That distinction matters. The sources describe Sgiath finding hundreds of colonies, but they do not give a measured account of how much this has changed the species’ spread or reduced harm. ¹⁴ Her work adds a detection tool; it is not evidence that the invasive species has been eradicated.

What did Sgiath do before marine conservation work?

Sgiath was first trained as a mountain rescue dog. Sim then considered whether her skills could be used for marine conservation and trained her to detect the sea squirt. ¹²

Sgiath is thought to be the first dog in the UK trained to hunt sea squirts, according to the BBC. The Independent describes her as the first in the world trained to recognise the organism, so reports differ on how broadly to state that distinction. ¹²

Why was Sgiath named Animal of the Year?

The International Fund for Animal Welfare named Sgiath its Animal of the Year. The reports say the award recognises her work detecting an invasive marine species. ¹³

The award highlights an unusual conservation partnership: a dog using scent to help a marine ecologist find a difficult-to-detect organism. It does not, by itself, show that the sea squirt is under control or that the method will work in every location. ²³

What we don't know yet

The sources do not give a detailed account of Sgiath’s scent-training process or how her detection results are independently checked.
The reports do not measure whether her searches have reduced the sea squirt’s spread or damage.
The sources do not set out which removal or control methods are used after a colony is located.

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Questions people ask

What is the sea vomit dog’s name?

Her name is Sgiath, a black Labrador from the Scottish Highlands. She works with marine ecologist Dr Texa Sim to detect carpet sea squirt. ¹²

What does Sgiath smell out?

Sgiath is trained to recognise the scent of carpet sea squirt, also known as Didemnum vexillum. The organism is commonly nicknamed “sea vomit” in the reports. ¹²

Can Sgiath remove sea vomit from the coast?

The sources describe Sgiath locating colonies, not removing them. They do not explain what control or removal work follows a detection. ¹³

Why is carpet sea squirt a problem?

It can spread across harbours, oyster farms and marine infrastructure, and may smother native wildlife. Reports also say it threatens aquaculture businesses. ¹³

Is Sgiath the first dog trained to find sea squirts?

The BBC says she is thought to be the UK’s first sea-squirt-hunting dog, while The Independent calls her the first in the world trained to recognise the organism. The sources therefore differ in how widely they describe the claim. ¹²

Sources

Dog that hunts invasive sea creature named animal of the year — BBC News
Dog that hunts invasive ‘sea vomit’ creature named animal of the year — The Independent, 2026-10-15
Dog honoured for breakthrough discovery in sniffing out invasive ‘sea vomit’ — The Herald
Scottish Labrador Wins Animal of the Year for Marine Detection — Oduu, 2026-10-15

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