Annan Fishery Management Plan - RAFTS

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River Annan DSFB Fisheries Management Plan 2009 – 20145.2.2 Protect Against Alien InvertebratesThe North American signal crayfishPacifastacus leniusculus was first introduced toEngland and Wales through fish farms around20 years ago. It was first noted in Scotland inthe nearby River Dee in Galloway in 1995.They are also present on the upper Clyde andthe Tweed so the Annan is at a high risk of colonisation.The signal crayfish feeds largely on small fish, fish eggs and other invertebratesand is known to cause severe damage to stream ecosystems. Preliminarystudies by FRS have shown that these crayfish exclude juvenile salmon fromshelters during winter. This behaviour would increase the vulnerability of wildsalmon to predators (Marlab website). In addition, the species digs burrows up tothree feet long in riverbanks to lay its eggs. At times of increased flooding theburrows are increasingly causing river banks to collapse.An intensive trapping programme is has being undertaken in the Annancatchment with support from FRS. As yet there have been no crayfish trappedand long may this continue. However, although there have been reliablesightings of the species in the area, the lack of captures so far would suggestthat it is not yet distributed in great numbers or that the populations did notsucceed in breeding.Action5.2.2.aDescriptionContinue with monitoring & trappingprogrammeReactive orProactiveProactiveTimescaleOngoing5.2.2.b Education, e.g. provide leaflets for public Proactive Ongoing35
River Annan DSFB Fisheries Management Plan 2009 – 20145.2.3 Protect Against Alien Fish SpeciesThe natural biodiversity of the Annan catchment isalready compromised by introductions ofnumerous fish species over the last century or so.Many of these fish have naturalised and as suchhave integrated themselves into the river andattempted removal would be counter-productiveon two fronts:1. The damage caused to native fish during the removal would beunpalatable.2. Some of the introduced species now have economically and sociallyimportant fisheries developed around them.Under provisions made in section 33a of the Aquaculture and Fisheries(Scotland) Act 2007 the introduction of fish into inland waters will be anoffence unless licensed. Also in provisions made in the Aquaculture andFisheries (Scotland) Act 2007 an amendment was made to the Salmon andFreshwater Fisheries (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 2003 section 4subsection 2 which made the use of live vertebrates illegal. This bans the useof live baits which was common practice amongst pike and some troutanglers. The release of live baits after fishing was commonplace and hasbeen a regular method for alien species to enter new waters. Theseprovisions will help us to maintain the fish communities as they currently are.Action5.2.3.a5.2.3.b5.2.3.c5.2.3.dDescriptionEnsure that all stocking of fish into anywatercourses within the Annan District arespecies which are native or long termnaturalised to not only that watercourse but tothat area of the river. Liaise with FRS to ensurethis is the case and encourage enforcementaction on any individuals that can be seen tobe involved with illegal transfers.Ensure live baiting measures are firmlyenforcedBy the development of innovative monitoringtechniques, continually check the speciescomposition in the river and associated watersso that an early warning system can bedeveloped for the presence of new speciesand the appropriate action takenThrough education make anglers aware of thedangers of introductions and encourage thereporting of captures of novel fish to the Board,preferably with carcasses for identificationReactive orProactiveProactiveProactiveProactiveandReactiveProactiveTimescaleOngoingOngoingAnnualmonitoringSeminar onaliensspring 200936
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