Trinity Broads users are being urged to check, clean and dry their boats and fishing equipment before they enter the water to help protect the broads from the invasive killer shrimp.
Dikerogammarus villosus is an aggressive hunter, feeding on damselflies, small fish, water boatmen and native freshwater shrimp. It was first found in Barton Broad in March and since then has been discovered in the River Ant at Wayford Bridge and downstream in the Bure. Recently a few shrimps have been found in Wroxham Broad, believed to have been transferred by human activity.
Will Burchnall, the Broads Authority’s new Wetland Biosecurity Officer, appointed to help stop the spread of the shrimp, says it is vital the shrimp is kept out of the Trinities because of their high conservation value.
“Because the Trinities are isolated from the Broads system it is possible to protect them from the advances of this new predator but only if everyone is acutely aware of the danger it presents and takes every precaution not to transfer it from other waterways,” he said.
Will’s message is for everyone using other waterways to routinely check their equipment, such as boats, footwear, clothing, ropes, fishing tackle and nets that have been in contact with the water. They should wash the equipment, return any organisms to the water from which they came, and dry out the equipment for at least 48 hours as the shrimps can survive for several days in damp conditions. The shrimps can also be killed by immersing clothing, ropes and nets in hot water (at least 40º C) for 15 minutes.
Anglers are asked not to use keep nets as shrimps tend to gather in them—a practice backed by Norwich and District Anglers Association. If fishermen insist on using keep nets they are asked to use nets dedicated solely to the Trinity Broads and wash and dry them thoroughly afterwards.
Will plans to visit sailing, rowing and angling clubs across the Broads to give advice on how to identify the shrimp and stop it spreading.
The shrimp, which can grow to 3 cms, is larger than native freshwater species and can be identified by its tiger stripes and horns on its tail. It originates from the Black and Caspian Seas in Eastern Europe and has spread across most of Western Europe over the last ten years. It does not pose a threat to people or their pets.
Please note that the image is of an angler's waders after an hour fishing in Grafham Water, not at Trinity Broads.If anyone identifies the shrimp in the Trinity Broads they should report it at
https://secure.fera.defra.gov.uk/nonnativespecies/home/index.cfm or contact Will Burchnall Tel: 01603 756003 or 07788438121 email: will.burchnall@broads-authority.gov.uk
