Issue 1 – November 2018
Welcome
Welcome to the first issue of our new quarterly newsletter!
If you have any suggestions for future topics to cover, please contact [email protected]
News
Asian hornet
There have been thirteen confirmed sightings of Asian hornet in the UK since 2016. Nine occurred in 2018, and four nests have been found and rapidly destroyed (two in Cornwall, two in Hampshire). Last month Government launched a new webpage with updates on the latest information.
Thank you to everyone that has helped us to raise awareness over the last few months. This year the alert system has received almost 8000 reports so far, compared to just over 4000 last year, showing people are becoming more aware of this species and the need to report potential sightings via the following:
Online reporting form
Asian Hornet Watch app for iPhone
Asian Hornet Watch app for android
Sightings can also be reported by email to [email protected].
For free copies of alert posters and ID sheets to help with awareness raising, please contact [email protected].
EU IAS Regulation
Forty-nine species have been listed so far under the EU IAS Regulation (26 animals and 23 plants). The restrictions of the regulation are in force for these species, apart from Raccoon Dog for which restrictions will come into force on 2 February 2019.
There is now a pause in listing until 2019; however, risk assessments are being drafted for additional species (available from the European Commission website). FAQs on the regulation are available and further information is available on the NNSS website and European Commission website.
Brexit
The House of Lords EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee has published a new report into biosecurity after EU exit.
Pathway work
Two working groups are currently developing pathway action plans for angling and boating, expected in 2019.
New INNS Portal in Wales
In early November 2018, the National Biodiversity Network Atlas Wales will release the Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) Portal. The Portal supplements the GB Non-native Species Information Portal and its Alerts mechanism by providing a unique facility to view and search for INNS specifically of interest to Wales.
The INNS Portal includes over 300 terrestrial, freshwater and marine species of interest to Wales and allows species occurrences and distribution to be searched for and downloaded individually or collectively by list. Species include those listed under EU and national legislation and those of policy and practical interest, including those identified as Wales Priority Invasive Non-Native Species for Action by the Wales Biodiversity Partnership INNS Group.
Wales has commitments under the GB Invasive Non-Native Species Strategy to take action to prevent, detect, eradicate and manage INNS. The INNS Portal will support these commitments by giving better access to INNS data. As well as being of help in Wales, the unique access to species via lists will be of benefit at GB, UK and European level.
The Portal goes live on the 5th November. For help in getting started see the INNS Portal User Guide. Records can be easily submitted through the free iRecord App and the newly launched LERC Wales App.
Communications
Attitudes, knowledge and behaviour in relation to non-native species
In 2008 Defra commissioned a survey of public and key stakeholder attitudes towards non-native species in England. Earlier this year a follow up survey was commissioned using funding from the Check Clean Dry Biosecurity Partnership. Download a copy of the final report here.
Check Clean Dry revamp
It’s been a busy year for the Check Clean Dry campaign! We recently finished updating our materials and guidance, using funding from the RAPID LIFE project, to reach a wider group of water users. Check out the new materials here.
Border biosecurity
Over the last few years we’ve expanded Check Clean Dry to target water users taking their boats and equipment abroad, who could introduce new INNS on their return. This summer we ran a six month border biosecurity campaign, funded by the Check Clean Dry Biosecurity Partnership and RAPID LIFE project.
You might have spotted our posters at Dover or three other ferry ports in England, or in Inverness Airport courtesy of Scottish Government and Scottish Natural Heritage.
Anyone flying to the continent might also have seen adverts for anglers in the onboard magazine provided by Easyjet.
Invasive Species Week 2019
Next year will be the fifth Invasive Species Week and we’re hoping to make it bigger than ever! Throughout the week beginning 13th May 2019 we’ll be raising awareness of INNS and their impacts.
Find out more about Invasive Species Week here.
Contact [email protected] to be added to the mailing list for updates, or if you have any ideas for events or potential filming opportunities.
Non-native Species Projects
Strengthening biosecurity in the Overseas Territories
The UK has 14 Overseas Territories (OTs) and three Crown Dependencies, all of which are islands except for the British Antarctic Territory, Cyprus Sovereign Base Areas and Gibraltar. The OTs together account for 94% of the UKs unique biodiversity and as such make a significant contribution to global biodiversity. Being predominantly islands, the OTs are very vulnerable to the introduction of potentially harmful invasive non-native species, recognised as the biggest threat to island biodiversity, as well as to food security and sustainable development.
In 2016 Defra and the NNSS secured funding over four years (2016-2020) under the FCO’s Conflict, Stability and Security Fund to help the development of comprehensive biosecurity for the OTs by providing them with access to UK expertise on risk analysis, pathway management, pest identification, horizon scanning, contingency planning, rapid response capability and species management. The project, Tackling Invasive Non-Native Species in the UK Overseas Territories, is part of the UK Governments response to the Honolulu Challenge, announced by the IUCN in 2016, calling for greater action to tackle the issue of invasive non-native species across the globe with particular attention to preventative action and the development of effective biosecurity policies. The project is managed by the NNSS.
NNSS is working in collaboration with the Centre for Hydrology and Ecology, Fera Science Ltd. and Public Administration International Ltd. to deliver the project. Activities to date include delivering horizon scanning workshops and initiation of pathway action plans to the six Caribbean and three South Atlantic Territories as well as the British Indian Ocean Territory, technical support to the British Virgin Islands, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands, drafting model biosecurity legislation, development of an e-learning module “Better Biosecurity”, and a Field Guide to Invasive Alien Plant Pests in the Caribbean UK Overseas Territories.
Jill Key, GB NNSS Overseas Territories Project Manager
For further information on the OTs and the biosecurity project see http://www.nonnativespecies.org/ots/otsMap.cfm.
Events
Mammal Society Autumn Symposium: Non-native Mammals in Britain
9 – 10 November 2018, Arup Offices, 8-13 Fitzroy Street, London http://www.mammal.org.uk/events/mammal-societys-autumn-symposium-non-native-mammals-in-britain/.
GB NNSS Local Action Group Workshop
5 – 6 February 2019, Preston Montford, Shrewsbury
Contact [email protected].