Marine Biosecurity Planning for multiple stakeholders the Loch Creran Experience

Marine Biosecurity Planning for multiple stakeholders the Loch Creran Experience

Scottish INNS Legislation Scottish law leads the UK regarding management of INNS The Wildlife and Countryside (Scotland) Act as amended (Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act) July 2012. It makes the following an offence: Releasing an animal to a place outwith its native range. Allowing an animal to escape from captivity to a place outwith its native range. Otherwise causing an animal outwith the control of any person to be at a place outwith its native range. Planting a plant in the wild at a place outwith its native range. Otherwise causing a plant to grow in the wild at a place outwith its native range. The Act also provides powers to offer voluntary Species Control Agreements (SCA) and, if that fails, serve Statutory Species Control Orders (SCO). Emergency Species Control Orders (ESCO) can be made more rapidly in acute situations. SCOs and ESCOs can both operate on the polluter pays principle. http://www.snh.gov.uk/docs/b1113471.pdf Scottish Government, Code of Practice on Non-Native Species - Made by the Scottish Ministers under section 14C of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, 2012, Edinburgh. p. 60. And Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland), 2011: Scotland. p. 69

Code of Practice - The Legal Guide Adopt a precautionary approach Carry out risk assessments Seek advice and follow good practice Take reasonable steps and exercise due diligence

Biosecurity Planning Prevent the introduction of NNS (biosecurity), rather than cure. Biosecurity planning, like pathogen control, is now encouraged to be the norm for operators and individuals. Marine Biosecurity Planning Guidance published in 2014/15 covering practical application of the law.

What does it involve? 1. Environmental information 2. Higher risk vessel 3. Higher risk activities 4. Biosecurity control measures 5. Site surveillance 6. Contingency plan

Non-Native Species Non-native species established in UK - JNCC A growing problem... 3,056 non-native species in Great Britain 1,957 established 180 are Invasive.

Impacts of INNS Giant Hogweed, Heracleum mantegazzianum Carpet Sea Squirt, Didemnum vexillum Acorn barnacle, Semibalanus balanoides Zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha The problems caused by invasive non-native species affect us all. They cost at least 1.7 billion every year in Britain.

Context for the Loch Creran Plan The national response area wide communications to increase awareness and vigilance survey (shoreline, infrastructure and reef) Marine Scotland working on site to better understand D vex in Scottish waters and to develop controls which fit with operational needs and which could be replicated elsewhere if needed.

Loch Creran

Approximately 13km Approximately 5km

Didemnum vexillum Smothering species Native to Japan Tolerant of changes to temperature, salinity, moisture and UV exposure. No natural predators. D vex growing over boulders on the seabed. Ian Davidson, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Maryland, USA

Aims of the Loch Creran Plan Help control D vex Help to contain D vex Help to avoid more introductions Develop relevant and practical actions and monitoring Help support local stakeholders Help to raise awareness and increase reporting

Developing the Loch Creran Plan Stakeholder Mapping 1-2-1 discussions Risk Assessment Develop of Actions Develop of Monitoring Regime Agree Actions and Monitoring Stakeholder Buy-In Awareness Raising Support for implementation

Loch Creran Stakeholder Mapping One of the busiest Lochs on the west coast of Scotland Recreational power, sail, kayak etc. Shipping - staff transport, bulk shipments. Aquaculture - finfish and shellfish. Aquaculture live fish processing. Tourism sea life attractions, marine tours. Residential - water front properties with private access. Marine engineering - building and servicing of fish farm infrastructure Boatyard - cleaning and storage, moorings. 70+ people and organisations on the stakeholder list

Developing a Biosecurity Plan Pathway / Vector Analysis, Risk Assessment Risk Vector association with NNS Effectiveness of vector Likelihood of establishment and spread

Development of Actions

Practical Actions - Aquaculture Aquaculture Pathway/Vector Action Risk Assessment Finfish farm Train dive teams to identify D vex. Check for suspected D vex prior to washing and halt cleaning process and alert Marine Scotland if a colony is found. Ensure that suppliers of feed and sprats/eggs are aware of biosecurity plan and are alert for D vex in particular. BEFORE mitigating actions MEDIUM/HIGH AFTER mitigating actions - MEDIUM Finfish feed barge and fish farm cages Finfish farm infrastructure manufacturing Finfish well-boats Pontoon at S Shian processing plant Train dive team to identify NNS. Regularly survey the barge for NNS. Do not move the barge unless there has been a full clear biological survey confirming an absence of D vex & other NNS. Alert Marine Scotland to any suspected D vex on the structure as soon as possible for best advice for your site. Train staff to identify and report suspected D vex. Survey all structures for fouling prior to departure from the Loch. If D vex is suspected do not move the structure, contact SEARS helpline straight away. Assess efficacy of pathogen control measures against D vex. Adhere to biosecurity and pathogen protocols when discharging well water. Train staff and survey regularly for suspected D vex growth. Alert Marine Scotland if D vex is suspected. BEFORE mitigating actions HIGH AFTER mitigating actions -MEDIUM BEFORE mitigating actions LOW AFTER mitigating actions - LOW BEFORE mitigating actions MEDIUM AFTER mitigating actions - LOW BEFORE mitigating actions MEDIUM/HIGH AFTER mitigating actions - MEDIUM

Best Practice Advice by Sector All users cross sectoral advice Small scale leisure (kayaks, diving etc.) Larger scale leisure (yachts etc.) Marina and mooring operators and owners Commercial marine operators Aquaculture Shipping

Ownership of the Plan The following organisations and individuals were involved in the development of the Loch Creran Plan. Achalic Farm Appin Community Council Argyll and Bute Council Bidwells, Managing Agent C2W, Marine Matters Managed Caledonia Oysters CB Marine Services Creagan Inn Creran Marine Crown Estate Scotland Derek Bailey, fisherman Fusion Marine International Paints Isle of Eriska Hotel NW Marine RYA Scotland SAMS Scottish Sea Farms Seaexplorer Tours Sealife Sanctuary SEPA Shian Fisheries SNH West Highland Mooring Association Yeoman Glensanda Aggregate Industries

Post Publication 12 months support for the community, 2 days per month producing good results Actively promoted Good reporting of suspected sightings No further spread of D vex reported!

Loch Creran is not alone biosecurity planning across the UK

Questions? Sarah Brown Marine Biosecurity Consultant sarah@c2w.org.uk DD : 01631 730327 M : 07867 623683 Lorna King Senior Marine Policy Officer Lorna.King@gov.scot DD : +44 (0)131 244 1540