Event Organisers
Taking part in outdoor events is a great way to explore our natural environment, but comes with a responsibility to protect them. Help stop the spread of invasive plants and animals!
Invasive species and other biosecurity threats, reduce our ability to enjoy our waterways and harm the environment. They can easily spread on footwear, clothing, boats and equipment. The risk is higher at events and competitions where participants have travelled from other parts of the country, or abroad and could be unknowingly carrying new invasive species on their kit.
Basic biosecurity for events
Together we can protect our natural environment as well as the sport we love. Carrying out effective biosecurity at water sport and angling events will help to reduce the risk of the introduction and spread of invasive species on site as well as anywhere participants may use their equipment afterwards, remember to Check Clean Dry after leaving the water.
Effective biosecurity should always be practised every time we have been out on the water, even if there aren’t any obvious signs of invasive species in the area. For water sport and angling events, these measures need to be simple, effective, have minimal impact on the delivery of events and be easily integrated into the day.
Below are some suggested actions that can help protect our waters and the activities we love!
Before the event
Plan your event biosecurity:
If you’re prepared in advance for the event then you’re more likely to have the appropriate equipment on the day to deal with biosecurity!
- Get to know your site- Are there invasive species within your catchment?
- Get to know your discipline- what are the risks of transferring invasive species for this type of activity?
- Get to know your participants- how many attendees and what kit will they likely have?
- What equipment do you need?- think about your budget and what you already have available.
Ask participants to arrive at the event with all their kit clean and dry.
Raising Awareness
Through all stages of your event it is important to raise awareness of invasive species and effectively communicate your planned biosecurity measures to your participants. Here are some simple actions to raise awareness for your event.
| BEFORE EVENT | DURING EVENT |
|---|---|
| Biosecurity risk assessment | Appoint a Biosecurity Champion |
| Promote on socials | Promote on socials |
| Provide training to event staff | Provide a wash-down station |
| Send out pre-event information | Promote location of wash-down station |
| Add Check Clean Dry to the agenda | Check Clean Dry message during opening |
| Promote on posters | Event stand with leaflets and information |
| Adopt a Code of Practice | Attendees sign a declaration |
On the day
- Set up a cleaning station for those who turn up with dirty kit and to use after they have participated in the event.
- Limit access to water bodies, preferably to a single point where Check Clean Dry signs are displayed.
- Participants should log in and out, confirming that they have cleaned and inspected their equipment.
- If possible, provide equipment that can be borrowed and used instead of personal equipment (e.g. trailers for boaters, nets and drogues for anglers).
- Put waterproof Check Clean Dry stickers on any club-owned equipment to remind users to follow the guidance.
After participants have taken part
All participants should check and clean their equipment after taking part by using the cleaning station provided.
It is a good idea to have a team meeting to discuss what went right and what could be improved upon next time. This can be achieved by either asking participants to take part in a short survey on the day or sending out forms after.
Useful templates for events
- Check Clean Dry Declaration – form used for to verify that participants equipment is clean and dry upon arriving at the event.
- Pre-Event Poster (Water Sports) – poster offering event information to participants on biosecurity before and during the event.
- Pre Event Poster (Angling Event)- poster offering event information to participants on biosecurity before and during the event.
- Pre-Event Email- email template providing information to participants on the Check Clean Dry method.
- Code of Practice (Water Sports)– template that outlines biosecurity protocols for watersport clubs/events to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species.
- Code of Practice (Angling)– template that outlines biosecurity protocols for angling clubs/events to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species.