The River Don Trust--Bio Security Draft Plan 2010 consultation

[machar]

River Don Trust Biosecurity Plan Consultation

Invasive non-native species (INNS) and biosecurity issues are of increasing concern in the Don area. In response to this the River Don Trust (RDT) has prepared a biosecurity plan for the local area. This plan is one of twenty that will be produced as part of a national level initiative supported by the Scottish Government, SNH, SEPA and the GB Non Native Species Secretariat. It is crucial to the success of the plan that there is broad level support at local and national level. As such the Trust is now circulating this draft plan to local stakeholders for their comment, general views on biosecurity issues as well as the potential roles that they may have in addressing the INNS and biosecurity issues in the Don area.

It would be useful for the Trust if your comments also addressed the following:

Does the plan identify and address all the riparian and aquatic INNS and bio-security issues in the area?
Which INNS and bio-security issues are priorities for you or your organisation?
Do you agree with the actions and suggested lead partners?
Is the information presented in the plan accurate and do you have additional information that could be included?
Are there any activities addressing INNS and bio-security issues that your organisation is undertaking which should be included in this plan?
Would you be willing to attend a meeting to discuss the plan after the consultation is complete?
The closing date for this consultation is January 7th 2011.

The Plan can be read or downloaded here

http://www.riverdon.org.uk/FileLibrary/PDF%20Reports/River%20Don%20Trust%20Biosecurity%20Plan%202010%20consultation%20doc%202010.pdf

any comments to biologist@riverdon.org.ukThanks for your support

[machar]

The River Don Trust Draft Bio Security Plan consultation period has been extended but will now close on 14th. January if anyone wishes to make last minute comments
It can be read  here
http://www.riverdon.org.uk/FileLibrary/PDF%20Reports/River%20Don%20Trust%20Biosecurity%20Plan%202010%20consultation%20doc%202010.pdf

[machar]

The mink invasive species project is having a bit of media coverage today, BBC TV breakfast (next at 8.20), Radio 4 Today (half hourly bulletins) Radio 5 live also the pre-recorded radio piece is on Radio Scotland, BBC Aberdeen bulletins and all regional BBC radio networks. Our very own Jamie Urquhart, River Don Biologist features as well!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12323300

[machar]

 
The River Don Trust are very pleased to like to inform you that the River Don Bio-Security Plan 2011-2016 is now complete. We would like to thank you very much for your contribution to the River Don Bio-Security Plan and for you patience during the consultation process.
The consultation process was very successful with positive comments coming from all contributors. Following the completion of the final draft, the document has been passed to our umbrella organisation RAFTS, prior to being released to you the stakeholders and then the general public, via the website and local press.

The River Don Trust has already started acting upon some of its actions within the Bio-Security Plan and has applied for funding for various aspects of the Plan in order to facilitate these actions, with further projects being prepared for later this spring (watch this space). The River Don Trust will also be present at the NELBAP Practitioners Seminar at the Macaulay Institute, Aberdeen on Tue 22nd March from 10am, where the Trust will have a poster presentation board on the Bio-Security Plan and some hard copies available.

The River Don Trust biologist (Jamie Urquhart) will be in touch with those stakeholders whose actions are most pertinent in due course and the River Don Trust will also review the Bio-Security Plans progress on a six monthly basis.

If you have any further queries regarding the Bio-Security Plan or the River Don Trust please do not hesitate to contact me

A number of elements are already underway with further announements to follow soon. The Plan can be read here

http://www.riverdon.org.uk/FileLibrary/PDF%20Reports/River%20Don%20Trust%20Biosecurity%20Plan%202010%20Final%20Feb2011.pdf


Jamie Urquhart
River Don Trust Biologist

[machar]

The eradication of mink on North East rivers is contained within the existing bio security plans for the respective rivers. There have been a number of recent sightings on rivers being reported so I spoke to Sarah Atkinson, the Mink officer for the North east yesterday. Scottish Mink Initiative, (Aberdeenshire Project Officer),
She would be pleased to receive any sightings of mink on the Dee, Don, Ythan, Ugie or other waterways which would assist in targeting them.
Sarah mentioned she is always on the outlook for committed volunteers to assist in checking mink rafts etc.
To contact Sarah regarding mink sightings or potentially becoming a volunteer please email at s.a.atkinson@abdn.ac.uk

[Billy]

I have reported mink sightings to Jim Kerr the river superintendant but I will keep a note of Sarahs e-mail address for the future.

Billy