Invasive Species and Biosecurity Workshop

Monday 25th November, 6pm – 8.30pm, Brompton Regis Village Hall, 8 Brompton Meadows, Brompton Regis, Dulverton TA22 9PD

Workshop Programme

6.00 – 6.30pm Registration, hot and cold drinks and pasties will be provided

6.30 – 6.45pm Welcome and introduction – Kate Hills, Biosecurity and Invasives Manager, South West Water

 What are invasive species, the problems they cause, what SWW and SWLT are doing about Invasive Non Native Species (INNS).

6.45 – 7.00pm Signal crayfish: origins, pathways to introduction and biosecurity risks – Nicky Green, Crayfish Specialist, Nicky Green Associates

 Crayfish ecology, management and research – what we know about signal crayfish in the South West, legislation and what can we do about them.

7.00 – 7.15pm Invasive species: their impacts on fishing and how anglers can help to stop their spread – Dr. Emily Smith, Environment Manager,

Angling Trust

•   A summary of some of the main impacts of INNS on fishing in the UK.
•   Negative impacts on native fish populations in the UK – direct predation on fish

  eggs/juveniles, competition with native fish for food/shelter, invasive plants

  blanketing waterways, reducing oxygen level and preventing access to fishing swims.

•   Easy measures anglers can adopt to reduce the threat of INNS being spread into

  their fisheries and other waterways.

  7.15 – 7.30pm AQUA Biosecurity Accreditation Scheme – Nicola Morris, Invasive Species Officer, South West Lakes Trust

•   An update on the AQUA Scheme at SWLT lakes.
•   Current best practice biosecurity advice and methods to help protect our lakes.

  7.30 – 7.40pm Comfort Break

  7.40 – 8.20pm Workshop session

 Group discussions on the potential for biosecurity facilities at our sites and our most

likely options to help prevent the spread of INNS. 8.20 – 8.30pm Closing summary