How do we stop the spread?
Regardless of the type of canoeing you do, whether competitive or recreational, inland or coastal, the chances are is that you take your canoe/kayak on to different watercourses where there is a chance you may come in contact with these harmful species.
Check you're not carrying living organisms
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- Check your equipment and clothing for living organisms
- Your equipment - pay particular attention to areas that are damp and hard to inspect such as the bow and stern of the boat, under the seats and rims and behind buoyancy bags and foot rests.
- Your clothing- check folds of cagoules, buoyancy aids, spray-decks, throw-lines, and the clothes you wear under your cagoules .
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Clean all equipment, clothing and shoes
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- Clean and wash all equipment, footwear and clothes thoroughly
- If you do come across any organisms, leave them at the water body where you found them do not take them home and if they are notifiable - Report It!
- Use tap water to clean you boat. In times of drought you will have to do this by watering cans and buckets . Take water with you so Plan Ahead!
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Dry equipment and clothing carefully
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- Dry all equipment and clothing - some species can live for many days in moist conditions. If it’s a warm sunny day, leave your boat out in the sun to dry - along with your extra kit.
- If the sun won’t help then do dry your kit with towels etc ... they will need to be washed after use (unless you can dry them out properly between uses). You might need to think of innovative ways of reaching inside your the end of your boat but it’s important to do so.
- Make sure you don't transfer water elsewhere.
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The above means YOU need to do it ...if you are:-
a competitive paddler who trains and races on different water courses
a freestyler/river runner who enjoys visiting a variety of waterways
a sea paddler/kayak angler who also uses inland waterways
a recreational paddler who enjoys touring around
a canoe polo player who uses outdoor pitches
a canoe sail participant who visit different places
Fundamentally we ALL need to do this as we have a major part to play in protecting the waterways we enjoy and are needed for our sport.
Prevent the spread of invasive species by asking members as well as visiting participants and competitors to wash down and dry boats, plus any other equipment such as wetsuits that may have been in contact with the water. Do this every time you leave the water and before you launch in new areas.
For more information visit:
Non Native Species Secretariat
https://secure.fera.defra.gov.uk/nonnativespecies/home/index.cfm that details these measures and identification guidance for over 50 non-native animal and plant species.
Report suspected sightings of invasive species to the Environment Agency or call 0800 807060.
In the longer term
- Alien crayfish and crayfish plague
- Salmon under threat G Salaris