Cumbria Freshwater Invasive Non-Native Species Initiative. Annual Report. April

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1 Cumbria Freshwater Invasive Non-Native Species Initiative Annual Report April

2 Contents Background... 3 Cumbria Freshwater Biosecurity Plan... 4 Third Cumbria Freshwater Invasive Non-Native Species Initiative Forum... 4 Initiative Logo... 5 Website... 5 National campaigns... 6 Check Clean Dry Campaign... 6 Be Plant Wise Campaign... 7 Awareness materials... 7 Leaflets... 7 News letter... 8 Local Action Group (LAG) support... 8 Shows... 8 Presentations and briefings... 9 Involvement / Liaison Media Press releases National Events attended Financial Report... Error! Bookmark not defined.

3 Background Following the Review of Non-native Species Policy: report of the working group by Defra in , Natural England sponsored two pilot freshwater invasive non-native species workshops and discussion forum in Cumbria and in Norfolk. Two workshops were held by the Cumbria Forum in late 2007 and early 2008 to identify issues and priorities for future management of freshwater invasive non-native species in the county. Atkins reported on these workshops 2. The Forum identified that a Cumbria-wide Coordinator was necessary to deliver its objectives and in April 2010, once sufficient funding has been secured, the Cumbria Freshwater Invasive Non-Native Species (CFINNS) Initiative was launched. The Initiative is for the whole of Cumbria and focuses on freshwater and riparian invasive non-native species. The aims of the Initiative are: 1) To raise awareness and understanding of the issues surrounding FINNS 2) To scan the horizon for new FINNS that may come into the county 3) To develop and coordinate the control and management of existing FINNS 4) To assist in the monitoring (survey and recording), mapping and reporting of existing FINNS 5) To liaise with local, regional and national organisations to improve freshwater biosecurity, riskmanagement, monitoring and reporting methodologies. 6) To develop expertise and knowledge of existing and potential FINNS, including risks and issues, management and current research and developments 7) To develop a Cumbria Freshwater Biosecurity Plan to address FINNS in Cumbria

4 Cumbria Freshwater Biosecurity Plan Following the recent success of the Biosecurity Plans developed by the Rivers and Fisheries Trust Scotland (RAFTS), the Association of Rivers Trusts (ART) and RAFTS have collaborated in the development of two pilot Biosecurity plans in England. The CFINNS Initiative was asked to lead in the Biosecurity Plan for Cumbria as part of a potential national programme of action. The Initiative Coordinator considers the preparation and implementation of the Biosecurity Plan as an essential component to succeeding in the objectives of the Initiative. The plan builds partnerships in order to address the complex issues associated with freshwater biosecurity. It therefore represents the approach of the CFINNS Initiative and Cumbria Forum for the prevention, early detection and control of FINNS, diseases and parasites. As the spread of FINNS is not isolated to the county of Cumbria this plan will also facilitate coordination and communication with the neighbouring counties. The Plan is due to be completed soon and will have a consultation period for the input of the Cumbria Forum in July Third Cumbria Freshwater Invasive Non-Native Species Initiative Forum The Initiative Coordinator organised the third Cumbria Forum meeting on Friday 18 th June The aim of the Forum was to reengage stakeholders and partners to ensure continued interest. Over 30 individuals representing 25 organisations and interest groups attended. Presentations were given by: Simon Mackown (DEFRA) Pip Kirkham (Natural England) Chris Horrill (Rivers And Fisheries Trusts Scotland) Mike Sutton-Croft (Norfolk Non-Native Invasive Species Initiative) Dave Welch (Windermere Invasive Species Group) Simon Johnson (Eden Rivers Trust) Arlin Rickard (Association of Rivers Trusts). A fourth Cumbria Forum meeting is being planned for the end of summer 2011.

The website was built with the kind assistance of Mirefoot Web Design who gave their time, instruction and hosting for free.

5 Initiative Logo A logo for the Initiative was needed in order to forge an identity. This eye catching logo was designed as a donation by ACC Computing Solutions. Fig.1 CFINNS Logo Website In October 2010 the Initiative launched its own WebPages, held within the South Cumbria Rivers Trust website. The website was built with the kind assistance of Mirefoot Web Design who gave their time, instruction and hosting for free. The Initiative Coordinator designed and populated both the South Cumbria Rivers Trust website and the Initiative pages. With over 3,000 hits to the website to date, the response has been very positive. A number of new volunteers and Local Action Groups (LAG s) have contacted the Initiative Coordinator and expressed interest via the website. The pages provide information on what FINNS are, free downloadable identification guides provided by the GBNNSS Secretariat, how to get involved, interactive recording and mapping of INNS, Species Alerts, freshwater biosecurity and legislation and guidance. The pages can be seen at Fig. 2- Screenshot of the CFINNS Homepage

Fig. 3- Screenshot of the interactive mapping page for recording FINNS in Cumbria National campaigns Due to the CFINNS Initiative being in place, national campaigns such as Check Clean Dry and Be

Check Clean Dry Campaign The Initiative planned to launch a campaign called Check Clean Dry in order to prevent the transport of freshwater INNS in Cumbria.

6 Fig. 3- Screenshot of the interactive mapping page for recording FINNS in Cumbria National campaigns Due to the CFINNS Initiative being in place, national campaigns such as Check Clean Dry and Be Plant Wise have been pushed hard in Cumbria. Existing relationships with organisations, associations and Local Action Groups have allowed national campaigns to be put into action. Check Clean Dry Campaign The Initiative planned to launch a campaign called Check Clean Dry in order to prevent the transport of freshwater INNS in Cumbria. However, following the discovery of the killer shrimp (Dikerogammerus villosus) Defra launched a national Check Clean Dry campaign in March The campaign is targeted at recreational users of freshwater resources, calls upon anglers, boaters, paddlers, holiday makers, walkers and others to follow simple preventative procedures every time they leave any body of water. If recreational users regularly follow the prevention procedures every time they leave a body of water, it should help reduce the risk of introduction, spread and impacts of FINNS. This preventative approach will be adopted because it is difficult to know whether a species has been introduced into a water body and not discovered and it is not confusing to recreational users because they do not need to know what and where FINNS are as long as they follow the procedures. Defra have no budget for materials or awareness raising for this campaign. This national campaign is being pushed hard in Cumbria by the Initiative Coordinator and is supported by many organisations whom are displaying posters and promoting the messages. See Appendix 1 for a list of supporters of the campaign.

These organisations are printing and distributing posters at strategic places such as water access points, popular tourist attractions and information points as well as promoting the messages of the

This is an incredibly important campaign which, because of the CFINNS Initiative being in place has the potential to significantly reduce the risk of introduction and spread of FINNS in Cumbria.

7 These organisations are printing and distributing posters at strategic places such as water access points, popular tourist attractions and information points as well as promoting the messages of the campaign. This is an incredibly important campaign which, because of the CFINNS Initiative being in place has the potential to significantly reduce the risk of introduction and spread of FINNS in Cumbria. Be Plant Wise Campaign Defra led Campaign launched in February 2010 to encourage people to not dump aquatic plants in the wild and to dispose of them sensibly, for example by composting them. The campaign fits in well with the aims of the Initiative and has been promoting the campaign on the website, at shows and in presentations. The Initiative Coordinator has also approached local garden centres and aquatic centres to display materials in order to promote the messages of the campaign. In December 2010, DEFRA gave the Initiative 500 to assist in the dissemination of Be Plant Wise materials, engaging local press and promoting links through the website. Awareness materials Leaflets A leaflet has been produced in order to raise awareness about FINNS and how to help prevent their spread into Cumbria and between water-bodies. Check Clean Dry ideas have been introduced in this leaflet. Designed by the Initiative Coordinator, 2,500 copies have been printed professionally. The leaflets have been given out at presentations, shows and taken by organisations such as the Environment Agency and Lake District National Park field teams. Fig. 4- Screenshot of leaflet

8 News letter The first CFINNS Initiative newsletter was released in December There will be two issues a year, one in winter and the other in summer. Issue 1 was sent out to all Initiative Forum members as well as national contacts and Local Action Group volunteers in Cumbria. Issue 1 received extremely positive feedback from all who received it. Fig. 5 Issue 1, winter 2010 Newsletter Local Action Group (LAG) support The Initiative Coordinator has been providing support for existing LAG s throughout the county over the past year. This included providing advice on identification, biosecurity, sourcing funding, producing risk assessments, sourcing contractors, raising awareness of work parties, and producing materials such as ID leaflets and posters. Support has also been given to individuals who have wanted to set up new LAG s. Shows A total of six shows were attended in 2010 which include: Holker Hall Garden Show (4-6 th June 2010) Gosling Syke Farm Invasive BBQ with Red Squirrels (31 st July 2010) Cartmel Agricultural Show (4th August 2010) Fell foot family fun day (flora of the fells festival) (18th August 2010) SCRT stone skimming competition (21th August 2010) Westmoreland Show (8 th Sept 2010)

Fig. 6 Show stand at Holker Hall Garden Show June 2010. A gazebo was set up at each, using display boards with photographs and shocking facts of FINNS.

Children were kept entertained by colouring either an baddy American signal crayfish, or a goody white-clawed crayfish cartoon which were displayed on the stand and a prize given to the best drawing.

All presentations were delivered by Microsoft Powerpoint and were received very well and with interest.

9 Fig. 6 Show stand at Holker Hall Garden Show June A gazebo was set up at each, using display boards with photographs and shocking facts of FINNS. Live potted Himalayan balsam plants (pre-flowering), New Zealand pigmyweed and American skunk cabbage plants were taken along to the shows which all generated lots of interest. Children were kept entertained by colouring either an baddy American signal crayfish, or a goody white-clawed crayfish cartoon which were displayed on the stand and a prize given to the best drawing. Presentations and briefings A total of 22 presentations and briefings have been given by the Initiative Coordinator. All presentations were delivered by Microsoft Powerpoint and were received very well and with interest. They include: Salmon and Trout Association (April 2010) Friends of the Lake District (May 2010) Coniston and Crake Partnership (May 2010) Furness and South Cumbria Fisheries Consultative (June 2010) Lune Rivers Trust (June 2010) Environment Agency Fisheries and Biodiversity Teams (July 2010) Coniston Parish Council (October 2010) Grange Natural History Society (October 2010) Wildlife Crime Officers (December 2010) Eden Invasive Species Group (December 2010) Cumbria Wildlife Trust Outdoor Education Tutors (December 2010) Bollin Valley Partnership Cheshire (January 2011) Non-Native Species Secretariat Local Action Group Workshop (February 2011) Duddon Valley Local Support Group (February 2011) Ulverston Cumbria Wildlife Trust Support Group (February 2011) Derwent Invasive Species Group (Feb 2011) Cockermouth Catchment Sensitive Farming Natural England NFU (March 2011) Bassenthwaite Osprey Project (March 2011) Women s Institute - Rimington (April 2011) South Cumbria Rivers Trust (April 2011) River Kent Enhancement Group (April 2011)

10 Derwent Owners Association (April 2011) Involvement / Liaison As well as working closely with the Cumbria Forum Partners, the Initiative Coordinator has been in working with a number of organisations throughout the county which include: Cumbria Probation Trust Cumbria Youth Offending Service Forestry Commission John Muir Trust Duke of Edinburgh s Award As well as liaising at a county-level, the Initiative Coordinator has in close contact with many organisations working with FINNS outside of Cumbria. These include: Angling Trust Non-Native Species Secretariat Environment Agency Natural England Norfolk Non-Native Species Initiative New Forest Non-Native Plants Project Plant Life Bollin Valley Partnership Media Press releases A total of 6 press releases have been launched. These are: MARCH 2011 Support wanted for new campaign - A national campaign is about to be launched to protect Britain s waters from infestation by invasive non-native species. The campaign is targeted at recreational users of freshwaters and calls upon anglers, boaters, paddlers and walkers to follow three simple preventative procedures - Check, Clean and Dry. FEBRUARY Prevention is cheaper than cure - An article in the Telegraph last week describes how British Waterways are to spend 250,000 on a project in West Berkshire to seal banks with plastic in a bid to stop canal sides from collapsing. The cause of the bank collapse is the invasive American signal crayfish.

11 NOVEMBER Cumbria's Crayfish now on Endangered List - South Cumbria Rivers Trust has expressed concern this week following the announcement of the worrying reclassification of the UK's only native freshwater crayfish. The white-clawed crayfish is now listed as 'Endangered' on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. OCTOBER SCRT Launches New Website - This week sees the launch of the brand new South Cumbria Rivers Trust website. The website has been redesigned with an updated, interactive and more user-friendly look achieved in collaboration with Mirefoot Web Design. JULY Forces Joined To Control Aliens In Cumbria -Organisations in Cumbria have joined forces in the fight to control alien invasions. The Cumbria Freshwater Invasive Non-Native Species Initiative was launched in April this year and involves major stakeholders from around the county. APRIL Aliens Beware! - Freshwater invasive species are to be targeted as a Cumbriawide Initiative is launched this week. The Environment Agency, Natural England and DEFRA are amongst contributors who have made this initiative possible. Press releases have been picked up by the Westmorland Gazette, North West Evening Mail and News and Star Newspapers. They have also been displayed on a number of websites including Lakeland Bushcraft, BBC News Online, The Lake District Messenger, Get Noticed Online, South Cumbria Rivers Trust, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Eden Rivers Trust and Friends of the Lake District. The Initiative Coordinator has been interviewed by BBC Radio Cumbria on three occasions and by ITV Boarder News once. Two magazine articles have also been published in Conserving Lakeland and in the Cumbria Biodiversity Partnership The Harrier. National Events attended Five national events have been attended by the Initiative Coordinator where very useful contacts were made and information learnt. These include: GB NNSS Seventh Stakeholder Forum London (6/5/10) ART Flood and Land Management Meeting Appleby (12/10/10) NNSS Local Action Group Workshop Preston Montford (25-26/1/11) IEEM Invasive species new natives in a changing climate London (23/3/11) EU Invasive Alien Species Strategy development Stakeholders Event London (15/4/11)

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