Help stop the spread of invasive plants and animals in our waters!
Invasive plants and animals can carry diseases that kill fish, and block waterways and banks interfering with fishing. They can be small and hard to spot so are easily spread on damp clothing and equipment. Read about plants and animals to look out for. Once established they become extremely difficult and expensive to eradicate, which is why it is so important to prevent their spread in the first place.
Protect the environment and fishing you enjoy by keeping your kit free of invasive plants and animals.
Guidance for anglers
Whenever you leave the water, remember to Check Clean Dry:
Check
Check your gear after leaving the water for mud, aquatic animals or plant material. Remove anything you find and leave it at the site.
Clean
Clean everything thoroughly as soon as you can, paying attention to nets, waders, and areas that are damp and hard to access. Use hot water if possible.
Dry
Dry everything for as long as possible before using elsewhere as some invasive plants and animals can survive for two weeks in damp conditions.
Going abroad?
It's even more important to Check Clean Dry if you're taking your kit abroad to make sure you don't bring any plants or animals back with you. Make sure everything is clean and has been dried thoroughly before you use it again at home.
Check Clean Dry materials
Download free materials with this information to remind yourself and other water users to Check Clean Dry. Contact us to order free hard copies.
| Type of material | Check Clean Dry materials for anglers | HTML version for users of assistive technology | Welsh language version |
| Poster / sign | Coarse angling poster (PDF) | Coarse angling poster (HTML) | Welsh language coarse angling poster (PDF) |
| Poster / sign | Game angling poster (PDF) | Game angling poster (HTML) | |
| Poster / sign | Marine angling poster (PDF) | Marine angling poster (HTML) | Welsh marine angling poster (PDF) |
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Poster / sign |
Angling washdown station poster (HTML) | Welsh angling washdown station poster (PDF) | |
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Poster / sign |
Clubs and managers of waterbodies poster (HTML) | Welsh clubs and managers of waterbodies poster (PDF) | |
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Leaflet |
Coarse angling leaflet (HTML) | ||
| Leaflet | Marine angling leaflet (HTML) | Welsh marine angling leaflet (PDF) | |
| Leaflet | Pocket fold out ID guide (HTML) | ||
| Sticker | Waterproof sticker (HTML) |
Check Clean Dry angling leaflets are also available in other languages, view a full list of Check Clean Dry materials.
Guidance for clubs
There are lots of actions you can share with your club to help protect the waters they use. View Check Clean Dry guidance for clubs.
Guidance for event organisers
The risk of spreading invasive plants and animals to new water bodies is even higher at events and competitions, where visiting anglers could unknowingly introduce them on their kit, or take them away to their usual fishing spots. View Check Clean Dry guidance for event managers.
Other ways to help stop the spread
If you would like to become more involved you could:
- Join a Local Action Group working on invasive species management, or learn how anglers are helping to control floating pennywort.
- Look out for and record invasive non-native species online via iRecord or through a smartphone app. View free ID guides to help you identify over 60 species.
- Free online training is available in identification, recording and biosecurity.
Thank you for helping to protect the environment.
Our partners
Check Clean Dry is supported by the Aquatic Biosecurity Partnership with funding from water companies.
Visit the websites of our campaign partners for more information on angling:
