Loch Fyne Marine Biosecurity Plan Developed in Partnership with the Stakeholders in Loch Fyne C2W Consulting Figure 1 Loch Fyne, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK 1 This plan was funded by Marine Scotland and has been developed by the users and community of Loch Fyne, Argyll, Scotland with the support of C2W Consulting. This plan is non-statutory, and all actions listed are undertaken on a voluntary basis. This biosecurity plan was developed in partnership with local stakeholders between November 2019 and April 2020. The Loch Fyne Biosecurity Plan covers the areas from the head of the loch near Cairndow, out to a seaward boundary loosely defined by a line from Ardlamont point in the east to Skipness point in the west. Principle Contractor Marine Scotland appointed Sarah Brown of C2W Consulting to deliver the community and stakeholder led biosecurity plan. 2 REPORTING What to do if you think you’ve seen Didemnum vexillum, the carpet sea-squirt 1. Don’t IGNORE IT! 2. Note the location, preferably using GPS, and take photographs of the colony if possible and safe to do so. Take photos both zoomed in and of the entire colony. 3. Contact Marine Scotland or CALL Scotland’s Environmental and Rural Services (SEARS) Helpline on 0845 230 2050. They will pass your report and photos onto Marine Scotland who will be able to respond quickly. 4. Adopt the precautionary approach and assume that it is D. vexillum until confirmed otherwise and follow best practice by not moving any material, stock or boats etc. from the site. 3 Executive Summary Didemnum vexillum, the invasive, non-native carpet sea squirt, has been found in three locations in Scotland, most recent of these is Loch Fyne in Argyll and Bute. Thought to originate from Japan it has the potential to grow rapidly, smother immobile species and potentially impact not only the native wildlife but also important economic sectors such as fish and shellfish growing. Biosecurity planning is recognised as the best way to assist stakeholders to identify threats and mitigating actions which will lower their risk from D. vexillum growing over boulders on the seabed. © Ian Davidson, Smithsonian Environmental Research Centre, invasive non-native species. Undertaking this Maryland, USA planning activity at a regional scale helps to boost effectiveness by linking efforts with adjacent businesses and communities. Marine Scotland commissioned C2W Consulting between December 2019 and March 2020 to work with local stakeholders to create this plan. Actions listed in the plan effect the full range of users of the Loch including sea fishing, aquaculture, both fin and shellfish, leisure boating, diving, commercial shipping, transport and defence. Actions have been through a risk assessment process and centre around the informed assumptions that: • D. vexillum is most often found on manmade structures. • It can spread by larval dispersal but also by fragmentation of colonies which can dislodge and settle elsewhere. Local conditions such as wave action, UV exposure and freshwater events such as surface water can all influence where it flourishes. • Adhering to best practice, the biosecurity plan assumes that the D. vexillum risk is the same across the whole of Loch Fyne. • D. vexillum is killed without the use of chemicals through desiccation (drying out) and prolonged exposure to freshwater. Any other treatments may require permits and advice should be sought before taking action. • Maintaining antifouling coatings and reducing biofouling on vessels is a useful step towards lowering risk. Please note • As a business or an individual it is your responsibility to look out for, report and not to move a non-native species. • You could be committing an offence unless you can show you took all reasonable steps to avoid moving or causing the spread of an invasive non-native species, such as D. vexillum. • If you think that you have found Didemnum vexillum you should report it straight away by emailing [email protected] or via the SEARS helpline on 0845 230 2050. 4 Table of Contents Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................. 5 The Carpet Sea Squirt, Didemnum vexillum .......................................................................................... 8 Stakeholder Analysis ............................................................................................................................. 9 Scope of the Plan ................................................................................................................................ 10 Risk Assessment Process ..................................................................................................................... 11 Site Description ................................................................................................................................... 13 Monitoring and review of the plan on a site and regional level .......................................................... 16 Sector Specific Risk Assessment and Biosecurity Actions ................................................................... 17 Recreation – Marina Services......................................................................................................... 17 Recreation – Mooring Associations ............................................................................................... 21 Aquaculture – Fin Fish .................................................................................................................... 23 Aquaculture – Shellfish, including static gear fishing (creel) ......................................................... 28 Port Authority, ferry operators and shipping ................................................................................ 33 Tourism – Marine Based ................................................................................................................ 37 Mooring Contractors ...................................................................................................................... 41 Fishing - Mobile gear (trawling) ..................................................................................................... 43 Annex A: D. Vexillum – Further biological information ....................................................................... 45 Annex B: Contingency Planning, Stop Events and Development ........................................................ 46 Annex C: Response to Future Developments ...................................................................................... 48 Annex D: Hull Fouling Ranking ............................................................................................................ 49 5 Background Marine invasive non-native species can pose threats to both marine industries and the natural environment. At a national level Marine Scotland is responding to the invasive species known as Carpet Sea Squirt – Didemnum vexillum – which is now present in Scottish waters. Carpet Sea Squirt can grow rapidly to cause heavy biofouling with impacts for boats and infrastructure and it can smother immobile species including farmed shellfish as well as natural features. Carpet Sea Squirt is present in Loch Fyne and information has circulated to raise awareness of the issue. To complement the awareness raising work Marine Scotland commissioned this biosecurity plan to support marine users to contain the spread of the Carpet Sea Squirt and to minimise its potential impacts. Whilst this plan is focused on the Carpet Sea Squirt, D. vexillum, the actions listed are useful and practical against many marine invasive species. Non-Native and Invasive Non-Native Species Non-native species are introduced plants and animals from other parts of the world. When a non- native species thrives aggressively it becomes a problem to the local ecology and economy and it is then termed ‘invasive’. Some non-native species have been moved from their native range accidentally for example on boat hulls, in ballast water or via the transport of goods and materials. Some species have been intentionally released for food or sport (rabbits) or for horticulture such as garden plants like rhododendron (R. ponticum). Species may have been introduced many times before they have become established. Problems Associated with Invasive Non-Native Species Invasive non-native species (INNS) often have advantages over native species, they can be more adaptable and have left behind their native predators and diseases. This means they can often grow at great speeds, overtaking native species in terms of food, space and light. They can smother native species and habitats such as fish breeding grounds and therefore disrupt whole ecosystems. They also clog and potentially damage important infrastructure such as roads and buildings on land or water intakes, fish cages, propellers and lock gates in the marine environment. INNS are thought to be one of the greatest threats to biodiversity and Defra1 have estimated that they cost the UK economy at least £2 billion per year, with more than £244 million of that spent in Scotland. Biosecurity Scottish law regarding INNS is amongst the most advanced in the UK. The Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act, 20112 includes a Code of Practice on Non-Native Species3 which helps to explain the impact of the legislation. The Act refers to plants and animals, making no distinction about invasive or non-native species and makes it a strict