Natural Resources Wales has published new resources to reduce the risk of introducing and spreading marine invasive non-native species (INNS) in Welsh waters. From Natural Resources Wales:
Biosecurity Action Plans have been developed for:
- Menai Strait and Conwy Bay SAC
- Cardigan Bay SAC
- Pembrokeshire Marine SAC
- Carmarthen Bay and Estuaries SAC
- Severn Estuary SAC
- Dee Estuary SAC
- A National Biosecurity Action Plan for Wales is also available
These documents identify key biosecurity risks for the site, set out practical actions to manage the risks and provide guidance on how to carry out those actions.
Pathway Action Plans have been developed for key pathways:
- Commercial shipping
- Aquaculture
- Recreational boating (large boats)
- Recreational boating (small boats)
- Boat-based fishing
- Shore-based fishing
- Recreational water-based activities
These documents explain how the pathway can spread INNS, how INNS affect the pathway, the main high-risk species for the pathway, and best practice guidance to reduce their introduction and spread.
Species Action Plans have been developed for:
- Chinese mitten crab
- Carpet sea squirt
- Trumpet tubeworm
- American slipper limpet
- American and Japanese oyster drills
These documents provide more specialised advice and list possible actions that could be carried out to reduce the introduction and spread of the species into and around Welsh waters.
Marine INNS in Wales Webpages
Together with Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum, we’ve put together an easy‑to‑use hub for information on marine INNS and biosecurity in Wales using key information from the action plans listed above: Marine Biosecurity | Wild Seas Wales. The action plans are displayed as interactive webpages with information about what INNS are, how they are spread, the impacts they have, and what you can do to help prevent their introduction and spread in Welsh seas (including guidance on biosecurity actions for different activities and sectors).
Next steps…
We’ve already started working hard on implementing some of the actions recommended in the action plans and supporting stakeholders to do the same, and we’ll continue to do so over the next few years as part of the continuation of the marine biosecurity project.
Stay in the loop…
If you’d like to be kept up to date with the biosecurity work, please complete a contact form and contact Chloe Powell Jennings. For more information or any questions, please contact Chloe and/or Holly Peek.
We would like to express our sincere thanks to APEM Ltd, and to all stakeholders and experts involved, for their invaluable contributions to the creation and development of these documents. We’d also like to thank Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum for their enthusiasm, expertise, and patience in creating the Marine Biosecurity Webpages.