Threats to our freshwater environment by non-native species
An increasing number of non native species are threatening our river habitats and native species. There is an urgent call for action regarding the threat of the Killer shrimp found for the first time in the UK in September 2010.
The Riverfly Partnership endorses the work of partners, the Angling Trust (AT), Association of Rivers Trust (ART), River and Fisheries Trust Scotland (RAFTS) and Eden Rivers Trust amongst others in the development of catchment wide biosecurity measures and management practices to protect our freshwater environment.
Alien Attack - Angling Trust / Environment Agency partnership project
There is increasingly concern of the threats to our rivers, waterways and still waters from invasive non-native species. Estimates suggest that anglers are spending in the region of 100,000 man hours each year trying to tackle alien weeds and creatures to help protect our river habitats.
The Angling Trust, with the assistance of the EA and the GB Non Native Species Secretariat, brings together identification and managment information on 17 invasive non-native species threatening the aquatic environment. See here for full details.
» Stop the spread – PDF-File, 268.5 KB
Killer shrimp Dikerogammarus villosus
ALERT - call for action
The Riverfly Partnership call Anglers' Monitoring Initiative Groups and partners to look out for this species. Size and colour are useful aids to identification, and the projections on the lower body are definitive features. Refer to the Freshwater Biological Association identification sheet.
If you find the Killer shrimp, send a photo and details of location, together with your contact details to alert_nonnative@ceh.ac.uk
Follow biosecurity measures to avoid the spread of this species.
» Killer shrimp identification sheet (Freshwater Biological Association) – PDF-File, 596.6 KB
» Killer shrimp information (Non Native Species Secretariat) – PDF-File, 298.1 KB
Signal Crayfish
» Signal Crayfish identification sheet – PDF-File, 1.2 MB
Giant Hogweed
» Giant Hogweed identification sheet – PDF-File, 737.4 KB
Himalayan Balsam
» Himalayan Balsam identification sheet – PDF-File, 617.8 KB
Japanese Knotweed
» Japanese Knotweed identification sheet – PDF-File, 335.2 KB
