Invasive Non-Native Species and Biosecurity

Biosecurity is a way we can reduce the risk of introducing or spreading invasive non-native species (INNS) in the countryside.

There are many different ways in which biosecurity can be carried out and we are all able to do our bit to protect our countryside. The GB Non-Native Species Secretariat (GBNNSS) has developed excellent guidance material on invasive species and we link to them below. Although these activities and actions were developed for GB, the principles are relevant across the world and are really important to protect the beautiful sites we have.

Information for UKOTs on biosecurity

Please see the excellent GBNNSS page on UKOTs for more information about the great work they are doing across the UKOTs and crown dependencies.

The side tabs will direct you to the biosecurity toolkit page (templates for import health standards, inspection guides & inspection protocols; biosecurity legislation, training framework, communications and educations tools, and more), marine biosecurity toolkit (a package of 7 documents), and other useful information.

Biosecurity advice for recreational water users - please see the Check, Clean Dry campaign

Check equipment and clothing for presence of organisms, remove and dispose of safely.

Clean thoroughly, if possible by immersing in 45°C water for 15 mins or hot pressure wash for at least a minute. Contain wash water and dispose of safely.

Dry for at least 48 hours before using elsewhere.

When leaving an anchorage, wash off both the anchor and chain before stowing.

When recovering watercraft, drain water from every part and from all equipment.

Biosecurity advice for management of aquatic plants - Be plant wise and don't dump aquatic plants in the wild - see the campaign here

Another project launched in the UK but very relevant across Europe - this guidance shows how invasive aquatic plant species can cause problems and how they can be managed. For information on if you have invasive plants in your garden that you need to dispose of, please contact the Sovereign Base Area Administration here.

Check, Clean, Dry Materials

Gardeners and pond owners
Anglers
Paddlers
Boaters

Possible new introduction of alien species in Cyprus

In the framework of DPLUS124 we have set out to create information sources to raise awareness and develop alert/rapid response schemes for invasive non-native species likely to arrive and establish at SBAs. As a result, we have compiled summary sheets for alien species not yet detected on the island both in Greek and in English presenting these species' morphology, habitats and impacts. The presented species have been prioritized based on horizon scanning exercises performed on the island (Peyton et al. 2019, 2020) and updated lists of invasive alien species of Union Concern and the list of the 100 of the world's worst invasive alien species.

Plants

Terrestrial invertebrates