River Forth Fisheries Trust Forth Invasive Non-Native Species Programme 4 October 2013 Forth Invasive Non Native Species Programme SEPA update – October 2013 Generally The FINNS Programme formally commenced on 1st December 2012 and will run to 31st December 2014.Two new full time members of staff were appointed mid February 2013: Alison Baker as the Programme Coordinator and Jonathan Louis as Project Officer. Due to relocation of offices at Stirling Council, the FINNS team moved to RAFTS office in Edinburgh at the beginning of June 2013. Technical support for the Project is being provided by Chris Horrill, Project Development manager of RAFTS. Liaison continues with all funders as required by the agreements throughout the life of the Programme. Raising Awareness The FINNS team have attended the following public events: Rural Connect Farm Day– West Lothian Ecology Centre Summer Festival– Fife Forth Naturalist and Historian Society Wildlifeand Landscape Forum - Stirling, Falkirk, Clackmannanshire Fife Coast and Countryside Trust Open Day – Fife River Tyne Clean Up Day – Tyne-Esk The following Groups have been contacted: Biel Association Friend of the River Tyne East Lothian Angling Association Esk Valley Trust Esk FINNS Group Friends of Roslin Glen Pentlands Regional Park Water of Leith Conservation Trust River Almond Sub Management Group Cramond Angling Club West Lothian Angling Association MuriestonEnvironmentalGroup Linlithgow Angling Club Forth Area Federation of Anglers AvonvalleyAngling Club Slamannan Angling and Protective Association River Avon Federation Larbert and Stenhousemuir Angling Club River Carron Fisheries Management Group Communities Along the Carron Association Falkirk Invasives Forum Seen an invasive species? Report a sighting: www.inns.rafts.org.uk CBC House, 24 Canning Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8EG. www.fishforth.co.uk/inns Email: [email protected], Tel: 07594 332323 Forth Invasive Non-Native Species Programme Stirling Council Fisheries Management Forth&TeithManagement Group Teith FINNS Group SWT Callander SWT Stirling Stirling University Ecology Group Thornhill Community Council LLTNP volunteer groups Allan Water Angling and Improvement Association Dunblane Community Council Bridge of Allan Community Council Ochills Landscape Partnership DevonAngling Association River Leven Angling Club Fife Coast and Countryside Trust Ecology Centre Fife Living Solutions Fife Landowners have also been contacted to arrange for works to be undertaken. Presentations have been made to the following on general awareness and ID and surveying techniques: Forth Naturalist and Historian Wildlife Forum East Lothian Angling Association LLTNP volunteers (2) West Lothian Angling Association Friends of the River Tyne Devon Angling Association Rural Connect Video (Arranged for next few months: Falkirk INNS/CATCA event – Exploring Our Rivers Water of Leith Conservation Trust AGM SWT and Pitcairn Society) We are working with the following Local Authorities to coordinate data and treatment strategies: East Lothian Council (additional INNS funding promised) Midlothian Council City of Edinburgh Council (INNS help in kind provided) West Lothian Council (additional INNS funding provided) Falkirk Council (INNS help in kind and additional funding provided) Stirling Council (FINNS Programme funder) Loch Lomond &Trossachs National Park (FINNS programme funder) Perth & Kinross Council Fife Council (additional INNS funding promised) The following other stakeholders have been contacted with whom we are working to coordinate treatment and information: Forestry Commission Scotland Scottish Water Network Rail A new Trust website has been launched on the FINNS Programme – www.fishforth.co.uk/inns together with a Trust facebook page - www.facebook.com/RiverForthFisheriesTrust which will allow us to advertise events and the work which is being undertaken. Forth Invasive Non-Native Species Programme Data Management: In addition to group events, training and coordination of groups to undertake surveys which are being put onto our GIS system, FINNS have been involved in the development of the RAFTS INNS management system – www.inns.rafts.org.uk a web based mapping system. The source of the INNS is being established for the four main plant INNS in each catchment and the following have been confirmed to date: Giant Hogweed North Esk Almond Carron Forth Allan Water Avon (none) Japanese knotweed Almond Avon Carron Forth Teith Skunk Cabbage Allan Water Forth Avon (none) Almond (none) This work is on-going and it is hoped to be completed for all catchments for Giant hogweed, Japanese knotweed and Skunk cabbage (except Tyne, South Esk and Leven) before the end 2013. Due to the nature of Himalayan balsam which can only be accurately identified in the summer, a review will be undertaken in 2014 of all catchments to attempt to establish the source before the end of that year. Education: Discussion with secondary schools has resulted in a Schools Pack being developed for use in secondary schools years S1-S3 (Stage Three) linked to the Curriculum for Excellence outcomes and experience requirements. The pack is complete and will be distributed to 73 schools within the district. FINNS have offered to undertake presentations to schools as part of the pack. Training 43 volunteers have been trained by Oatridge College in PA1 and PA6AW 12 further training events have been held by FINNS for volunteers on use of spraying, stem injectors and mink monitoring. Equipment The following equipment has been purchased: Sprayer packs 60 Stem Injectors 20 Chemical 335 litres Mink Rafts 95 Mink Traps 75 Mink Combs 10 pairs Miscellaneous mink equipment including pistols PPE 9 visors, 44 coveralls, 54 pairs of gloves Survey packs (including survey books, GPS, 15 USB sticks, ID sheets Plus miscellaneous equipment, first aid kits etc. Forth Invasive Non-Native Species Programme Treatment: 2012 (before the start of the formal FINNS Programme) Giant Hogweed Almond Main stem from Kirkliston to Cramond Gogar Burn from source to RBS Allan Water From source at Feddal to Kinbuck Carron Main stem (isolated outbreaks) Japanese knotweed Almond Source on Breich Water Broxburn (funded by West Lothian Council) Main stem through Livingston (funded by West Lothoian Council) Avon Couston Burn Mannual Burn (funded by Falkirk Council) Main stem isolated outbreaks in upper catchment 2013 (to date of report) Giant Hogweed Almond Main stem from Kirklistin to Cramond Gogar Burn from source to RBS Dedridge Burn from source to confluence Carron Main stem (isolated outbreaks) Forth Source at Auchentroig to confluence with Forth Allan Water From source at Feddal to Kinbuck Main stem isolated areas around Dunblane Japanese knotweed North Esk From source to Pencuik Almond Source on Breich Water down to Stoneyburn Murieston Water Broxburn Killendean Main stem from Kirkton Weir to Almondell Country Park Avon Couston Burn Mannual Burn (funded by Falkirk Council) Main stem down to Linlithgow Bridge Carron Main stem from Fankerton (source) to Carronvale Forth Source at Auchentroig Burn to confluence Devon Main stem (isolated outbreaks) Teith Four tributaries in upper catchment (known sources) Skunk cabbage Forth Source at Aberfoyle Himalayan balsam Teith Main stem at Callander .