Biosecurity

One of Nith Catchment Fishery Trust’s (NCFT) aims is to protect and conserve all freshwater fisheries within the Nith catchment and in order to achieve that aim the Trust takes the bio-security of the catchment very seriously.  Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) entering the catchment pose significant economic and ecological threats and as a result the NCFT produced the Nith Catchment Biosecurity Plan to address these concerns and identify ways in which to prevent, detect and control these threats.  Within the plan high risk species were identifed including:

• Gyrodactulus salaris
• North American Signal Crayfish
• Killer Shrimp
• Curly Waterweed
• Australian Swamp Stonecrop
• Zebra Mussel
• Chinese Mitten Crab

Invasive non-native species are having a significant economic impact on the country and it has been estimated that they are costing the UK approximately £1.7 billion, of which Scotland’s share equates to £244 million.  It is important that control is carried out on INNS as soon as possible, as if left untreated; the cost can increase exponentially.