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Facts and figures
• Around 2,000 non-native plants and animals from all
over the world have been introduced to the UK by people.
• There has been a dramatic increase in the number of
species arriving in recent years and there is no indication
of this trend slowing.
• Most non-native species are harmless but around 10-
15% have become invasive and have a negative impact
on our environment, economy, and even our health and
way of life.
• INNS have contributed to 40% of the animal extinctions
that have occurred in the last 400 years.
• They cost the UK economy at least £1.8 billion a year
• 9.2% of rivers and canals in England and Wales are
infested with Japanese knotweed.
• £100,000 spent by one water works on modifications to
cope with Zebra Mussels.
• 84% of the world's 232 marine ecoregions reported the
presence of invasive non-native species.
• Almost two thirds of our non-native plant species in
England are of European origin.
Invasive non-native invertebrates such as the killer shrimp,
zebra mussels and signal crayfish can have a harmful effect on
our freshwater environment. These organisms can reproduce
rapidly, compete with or eat our native species and spread
diseases and parasites.
The Green Blue, the RYA and British Marine’s joint
environmental campaign, has developed a series of guidance
videos for boaters on how to Check, Clean, Dry their crafts –
including specific windsurf, dinghy, powerboat, and personal
watercraft best practice.
Campaign Manager for The Green Blue, Kate Fortnam,
explains, “It’s in everyone’s interest to protect the natural
environment that supports our recreational boating activity,
that’s why it’s so important to check, clean and dry all your
equipment after use so as to minimise the spread of alien
species or diseases.”
Guidance for events
There is a greater risk of invasive plants and animals being
spread during an event or competition, where participants
could be unknowingly introducing them on their boat and kit, or
taking them away to the water bodies they usually visit. The risk
is even higher if participants are visiting from abroad.
Event organisers can play a key part in protecting club waters
by ensuring participants follow a good biosecurity routine to
reduce the risk of introducing and spreading invasive plants
and animals.
Basic biosecurity for events
• Ask participants to arrive at the event with all their kit
clean and dry.
• Set up a cleaning station for those who turn up with
damp or dirty kit.
• Limit access to water bodies, preferably to a single point
where Check Clean Dry signs are displayed. Participants
should log in and out, confirming that they have cleaned
and inspected their equipment.
• Put waterproof Check Clean Dry stickers on any club-
owned equipment to remind users to follow the guidance
• Remind participants that they should clean and dry their
equipment after taking part.
The Green Blue raises awareness, supports practical
projects, runs bespoke outreach activities and offers easy
to follow advice to make all forms of boating in the UK as
sustainable as possible. Visit www.thegreenblue.org.uk to
find out more. Follow the campaign on Facebook and
Twitter @CheckCleanDryGB and @TheGreenBlue.
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SURFING