Marine Biosecurity Action Plan for Wales

This page explains the seven main areas of biosecurity for all pathways in Welsh seas. Take a look at the specific actions within each of the seven areas, as well as links to more information, below.

Awareness Raising and Engagement

Sharing knowledge and improving understanding of INNS and biosecurity, how they’re spread, their impacts, why they should be managed and how, as well as roles and legal responsibilities.

1. Understanding roles and legal responsibilities
Raising awareness of the relevant and current INNS legislation and national policy that relate to key pathways and roles and legal responsibilities in relation to this. See Policy and Legislation for more information.

2. Information and guidance on INNS and biosecurity
Ensuring that information and guidance on INNS and biosecurity in Welsh seas is consistent, high-quality and appropriate for key pathways. See Links and Resources for more information.

3. Raising awareness
Facilitating and encouraging the active sharing of information and guidance.

Practical Actions

Actions and behaviours that reduce the risk of INNS introduction and spread, supported by appropriate facilities and guidance.

4. Biosecurity processes and procedures
Improving INNS biosecurity procedures being undertaken, ensuring consistency and efficacy.

5. Biosecurity facilities
Ensuring availability of biosecurity facilities (or the supply of appropriate equipment) to help promote effective cleaning.

Monitoring and Reporting

Looking out for INNS and reporting them to improve understanding of their distribution and improved ability to respond quickly to new threats.

6. Monitoring and reporting
Establishing a robust understanding of what INNS are present in Welsh seas and facilitate the early detection of introductions and spread.

Ensuring that INNS sightings are reported to iRecord (via app or website) and records are included in national databases.  

Ensuring that up to date species distribution data is available to enable rapid responses to new INNS introductions or spread. 

See Monitoring and Reporting for more information.

7. Collaborative working
Improved collaboration between all stakeholders in Welsh seas where key pathway activities take place. Cooperate in decision-making, share resources, and leverage the experience of all to address challenges and achieve success together.

Biosecurity Actions Table

This Biosecurity Actions Table lists actions intended to reduce the introduction and spread of marine INNS in Welsh seas. Ticks show which group each action is relevant to

Awareness Raising and Engagement

1. Understanding roles and legal responsibilities

Actions:
Authorities
Governing bodies and associations
BAP Manager (NRW)
Commercial Operator
Recreational Clubs
Recreational Users
Provide up-to-date and accessible legislation information
Disseminate new information on legislation to BAP users
Understand how marine INNS legislation and policy could impact your activities
Share information on marine INNS legislation and policy, and organisational responsibilities

2. Information and guidance on INNS and biosecurity

Actions:
Authorities
Governing bodies and associations
BAP Manager (NRW)
Commercial Operator
Recreational Clubs
Recreational Users
Download/gather relevant marine biosecurity awareness raising material
Create new marine INNS/ biosecurity awareness raising material
Fund and/or support the creation of guidance and training material
Ensure up-to-date and accessible awareness raising material and resources are available

3. Raising awareness

Actions:
Authorities
Governing bodies and associations
BAP Manager (NRW)
Commercial Operator
Recreational Clubs
Recreational Users
Share the PAPs, SAPs and BAPs with all relevant contacts
Share marine INNS / biosecurity awareness raising material
Post marine INNS and biosecurity content on social media pages
Install signage/ posters
Provide or take part in training or workshops
Run a marine INNS awareness and training course for staff
Circulate marine INNS ID guides (digital or printed) and reporting guidance
Promote marine INNS reporting through iRecord

Practical Actions

4. Biosecurity processes and procedures

Actions:
Authorities
Governing bodies and associations
BAP Manager (NRW)
Commercial Operator
Recreational Clubs
Recreational Users
Implement biosecurity best-practice
Appoint a biosecurity champion / manager
Set biosecurity rules, codes of conduct, or T&Cs
Complete a biosecurity To-Do-List or create a site biosecurity plan
Create biosecurity plans for higher risk events
Get more pathway-specific recommendations from the Welsh PAPs

5. Biosecurity facilities

Actions:
Authorities
Governing bodies and associations
BAP Manager (NRW)
Commercial Operator
Recreational Clubs
Recreational Users
Provide well maintained on-site biosecurity facilities and/ or equipment
Use biosecurity facilities

Monitoring and Reporting

6. Monitoring and reporting

Actions:
Authorities
Governing bodies and associations
BAP Manager (NRW)
Commercial Operator
Recreational Clubs
Recreational Users
Ensure users know about marine INNS reporting processes
Report marine INNS in a timely manner
Provide updates on priority marine INNS reports
Integrate marine INNS monitoring and inspection into routine activities
Fund and/or support statutory monitoring

7. Collaborative working

Actions:
Authorities
Governing bodies and associations
BAP Manager (NRW)
Commercial Operator
Recreational Clubs
Recreational Users
Support / promote marine INNS report data flow

For pathway-specific information and example actions for each of the seven areas listed below, see the relevant Pathway Action Plan. 

For information on how the Marine Biosecurity Action Plan for Wales was produced, national strategic actions for authorities, more detail on biosecurity actions and best practice, see the full Marine Biosecurity Action Plan for Wales.
 

For the Welsh SAC-level Biosecurity Action Plans, see: 

 

For the cross-border SAC’s, see: 

Severn Estuary BAP 

Dee Estuary BAP