Guidance for events

Invasive plants and animals harm the environment, block waterways, clog equipment, and can be costly to manage. They can be small and hard to spot so are easily spread on damp equipment and clothing. Once established they become extremely difficult and expensive to eradicate, which is why it is so important to prevent their spread in the first place.

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 a different area or 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.

Below are some suggested actions that can help protect the water bodies you manage or use.

Basic biosecurity for events

- - - Ask participants to arrive at the event with all their kit clean and dry. Pre-event information for participants in angling events has been developed by the Angling Trust.
    - 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.
    - If possible, provide equipment that can be borrowed and used instead of personal equipment (e.g. trailers for boaters, nets and drogues for anglers).
    - Put waterproof Check Clean Dry stickers on any club-owned equipment to remind users to follow the guidance.
    - All participants should clean and dry their equipment after taking part. Find Check Clean Dry guidance for anglers, boaters and paddlers here

Find out more by downloading the event biosecurity support guide below, developed by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. A biosecurity risk assessment is also available to help plan event biosecurity.

Resources

Event Biosecurity Support Pack – developed by Scottish Environmental Protection Agency

Event Biosecurity Risk Assessment – developed by Scottish Environmental Protection Agency

Pre-event Check Clean Dry guidance produced by the Angling Trust

Poster or sign for events, clubs and managers of waterbodies

Going abroad?

It’s even more important to Check Clean Dry if you’re taking your kit abroad to make sure you don’t bring any plants or animals back with you. Make sure everything is clean and has been dried thoroughly before you use it again at home.