Helping clubs and fisheries tackle invasive non-native species

“We always thought stem injection was the way to go because there’s no collateral damage and it’s a lot easier for volunteers to use because the equipment is quite lightweight. Overall, we effectively treated an area the size of a football pitch last year and we hope to do the equivalent of two football fields this year.

“When Ian and Andy came to see us, they said we needed to do something about the Himalayan Balsam too. And now, with 95% eradication of the Knotweed, if we don’t do something about the Balsam, it’ll just populate the areas where the Knotweed used to be.”

The safe removal of invasive non-native species is one thing, but there’s an additional – and equally important – consideration when it comes to onward management of spread. Eradication from a site is one thing but implementing an efficient bio-security programme as part of the overall management plan is important too. Reflecting this in an application could be make a huge difference to how your plan is received but what, exactly IS bio-security when it comes to INNS management?

“Bio-security in its simplest sense is a set of measures that are put in place to minimise the risk of invasive species being spread from one site to another,” said Dr. Emily Smith, who is the Angling Trust’s Environment Manager.

“What that means is that at the end of a session of control, people will clean their boots, clothing and equipment to make sure no seeds or fragments are taken elsewhere. There is research out there that shows that by following the process ‘Check, Clean, Dry’ 99% of invasive species retained on equipment would be killed.

“Some of the sites where management takes place can obviously be in the middle of nowhere so it’s not a case of expecting clubs and fisheries to have ‘facilities’ as such. But when the local Environment Officer visits, it’s one of the things they can advise on while taking into account local services such as water and electricity or perhaps the lack of them. Their guidance on bio-security will be to suit the fishery rather than impose impossible methodology.”

In Bolton, the BBFFC project remains firmly a work in progress but has undoubtedly been accelerated towards success by AIF funding. John is proud of what he and his colleagues have already achieved and will continue to work to achieve in the future.

Equipment provided by the AIF can be used by neighbouring clubs and fisheries.

“We stated in our application that any other club who wanted to use the equipment and expertise would have access to it, so in terms of what we’ve been able to do, we’re hoping that Bradshaw Brook can be like a beacon in encouraging others to take it on. If you know you’ve got a problem you need to make sure you have committed volunteers but if you have, I’d say go for it.“

Any club or fishery that wishes to apply for support from the AIF should reading the funding information pages on the Angling Trust website.

General information on Invasive, Non-Native Species and contact details for your local Environment Officers can be found here.

*Pictures Courtesy of John Frazer