How to protect native species at region's lakes sites

A series of free workshops is planned to raise awareness of invasive non-native species and how to prevent their spread.

The biosecurity workshops are being delivered by the South West Lakes Trust and South West Water, and are open to anyone who uses one of the Trust’s sites across the region for sport or recreation.

Nicola Morris, Invasive Species Officer at South West Lakes Trust, said: ‘As well as providing information to attendees, these workshops will provide us with vital feedback from visitors who use the lakes. The information will help us to manage invasive non-native species and prevent their spread. Our visitors are as passionate about protecting the lakes as we are and it is great to be working alongside them.’

In Britain, invasive species have caused dramatic declines of some native species including those in the South West such as the water vole and white-clawed crayfish. They threaten many key sites and are a particular threat in sensitive areas, such as rivers, lakes and streams and offshore islands. Invasive species can also interfere with recreational activities: for example, invasive aquatic plants block waterways, preventing anglers, boaters and paddlers from using them.

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