PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Invasive mammalian predators represent one of the most serious threats worldwide to seabirds breeding on islands. Seabirds tend to be ground-nesting, colonial and unfamiliar with carnivorous mammals, and can therefore suffer very large and rapid declines if exposed to such predators.
In the UK (and much of the rest of Europe), the mammals that are highest risk in terms of their invasion potential and likely impact on species of conservation concern are the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus), black rat (R. rattus), stoat (Mustela erminea) and American mink (Neovison vison). This project targeted the main stages of a potential invasive mammal incursion: Securing invasive mammalian predator pathways (prevention), through biosecurity planning and an awareness-raising and engagement campaign; setting up early detection (surveillance), through training and provision of equipment to detect an incurring animal; and enabling Rapid Incursion Response by creating the capacity to quickly react to an incursion to remove any invasive mammal before they establish.
OBJECTIVES
The Biosecurity for LIFE project aimed to protect seabirds from invasive predators by producing biosecurity plans for all 42 SPAs in the UK, as well as establishing ‘rapid response hubs’ to deal with any incursions. Other actions included raising awareness about the need for improved biosecurity, promoting knowledge sharing, and encouraging the replication of the project throughout the EU.
Biosecurity for LIFE contributed towards the implementation of EU nature policy, including the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020, EU Regulation on Invasive Alien Species, the Birds Directive and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.
RESULTS
The project achieved the overall aim of safeguarding the UK’s seabird SPA islands from invasive mammal incursion for the vast majority of the target islands. Specific objectives were mostly achieved including:
- The production of biosecurity plans for 41 (of 42 targeted) island SPAs with biosecurity surveillance measures implemented for 65 (of 73) islands.
- Biosecurity training was provided to personnel from 28 SPAs and to communities on 8 out of 10 inhabited islands. Training materials were developed and rolled out to boat operators, boat users, lighthouse staff, harbour masters.
- Six new ‘rapid response hubs’ were established in Scotland and Wales, and an existing hub in England upgraded, two satellite hubs established and 55 volunteers recruited and trained. This was below the expected target (of 8 hubs and training of 160 volunteers) but is foreseen to continue through the after-LIFE plans.
- Surveillance devices installed on 35 SPAs (exceeding target of 25 SPAs), self-setting traps trialed (although not successful), a surveillance App was developed, and two biosecurity dogs trained.
- The biosecurity awareness raising campaign was successful in that it exceeded its engagement targets: 11 678 people were reached directly and a further 32.5 million people were reached through media work. This included direct reach to island communities and visitors, members of the public at talks/events, schoolteachers and school children and providing training to key marine user groups.
- The project networked and engaged with at least 12 other LIFE and non-LIFE projects and created excellent biosecurity resources to support other projects. The project helped support two new LIFE projects (Italy and Malta) and is supporting this work in six other sites in the UK to replicate similar activities.
