Check, Clean, Dry…and relax! 

A new campaign by Defra is echoing the Green Blue’s advise to help minimise the spread of Non-Native Invasive Species (NNIS).

Defra’s campaign, Check, Clean, Dry, is aimed at those involved in watersports who can, unwittingly, spread non-native invasive species as they move between different bodies of water, such as trailing a dinghy to attend events across the country.

Non-Natives, sometimes referred to as Alien Species, can cause major problems for our native flora and fauna, often smothering native species and having a detrimental effect on natural ecosystems. They can also have serious impacts for our fishing industry and cost the UK economy over £2 billion every year to clean up.

Although NNIS have been introduced by accident, often arriving here in the ballast water of ships and tankers, they can be easily spread around our waterways and coastline by recreational boats.

Possible restrictions

For recreational boaters, an alien species could result in the temporary restrictions on our activities, such as those experienced last year at Grafham Water, Cambridgeshire, when Killer Shrimp were found. Grafham Water Sailing Club subsequently set up a comprehensive system for checking and washing down all boats meaning the temporary restrictions could be lifted.

It’s therefore very important that we all do our bit to limit the spread of these unwelcome visitors. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the problem of NNIS but, more importantly, shows us in three simple steps what we can all do on our boats to prevent the spread:

• Check equipment and clothing for live organisms - particularly in areas that are damp or hard to inspect before moving to a new location.
• Clean and wash all equipment, footwear and clothing thoroughly. If you do come across any organisms, leave them at the water body where you found them.
• Dry all equipment and clothing - some species can live for many days in moist conditions. Make sure you don’t transfer water elsewhere.

For more information visit: DEFRA’s Check, Clean Dry Campaign

For further information on how to deal with NNIS visit The Green Blue Website

Advice for cruisers

It’s not just dinghies that can spread NNIS. It is equally important that cruising boats are well-maintained in order to stop the spread.

One of the simplest ways to prevent spreading NNIS is to wash down your anchor and chain every time you leave an anchorage, thereby removing any unwanted stowaways from hitching a ride to the next anchorage.

• Give your hull a good clean off every year. Alien species love clinging to the bottom of static boats. Pay particular attention to the propeller, prop shaft and bottom of the keel as well as those hard to reach places such as water inlets and outlets.
• Alien Species tend to be a particular problem on boats that have not been lifted out of the water for a while. If you didn’t lift out you boat last winter, it’s really important that you do as soon as possible. You may be amazed at what you find growing there and you’ll improve boat speed and fuel efficiency, too.