Meet Sgiath the dog named animal of the year for hunting down sea vomit

Sgiath, a six-year-old Labrador from Scotland, has been named animal of the year for his ability to sniff out a highly invasive marine species known as “sea vomit”.

Thought to be native to Japan, the organism spreads rapidly in harbours, oyster farms and other marine structures, smothering native wildlife and threatening fish and shellfish farms.

Also known as marine vomit, pancake batter tunicate or carpet sea squirt, identifying it often requires specialist laboratory analysis and DNA testing. But Sgiath can detect its scent quickly and accurately, even when it is hidden among other marine life. #dog #dogs #sea #animal #river