Dear Secretary
 
As you may be aware, Dikerogammarus villosus ( aka the killer shrimp) has been found  in the river Ant and areas of Barton Broad.
 
Our priority is to stop the shrimp spreading to sensitive waters within the Broads area and away from the Broads to other waters where it may do more damage. By spreading awareness of the shrimp and the simple steps that can prevent it being transported from one site to another we hope to stop it making its way into other areas of the broads.
 
Non-native invasive species can devastate populations of native species and change whole ecosystems. The killer shrimp feeds on all kinds of insect life and its spread could threaten the wellbeing and populations of native shrimp species, damselflies, nymphs and water boatmen as well as small fish.
Although we cannot prevent its natural movement along the watercourse, we can prevent human activity from helping it spread more rapidly and to a wider area.  Simple bio-security precautions can prevent you from spreading the killer shrimp within the Broads and to other locations in across the UK.
 
To try and stop the spread of these species we are promoting water users to :
o             CHECK   their equipment and clothing for live organisms - particularly in damp areas
o             CLEAN   and wash all equipment and footwear thoroughly
o             DRY        all equipment and clothing - some species can live for many days in damp conditions
 
We would also like to recruit a volunteer from each club across the Broads who would be the nominated contact person for communications between the Broads Authority and Club members. It would be their role to become more expert on the subject, to brief club members and to keep in touch with the latest information.  The volunteer Check, Clean, Dry champions would be provided with training on how to identify the "killer" shrimp, information on how water users can be pro-active in stopping the spread, information and leaflets to give out  and also some promotional items to make the champions visible.
 
If you have any members who you think would like to get involved with this campaign, please forward this email to them.
 
I'm happy to answer any questions you may have and also to come and talk to the club about killer shrimp and invasive species in general.
 
If you are holding open meetings where competitors travel to and from the event I have some information sheets on the killer shrimp and the check, clean, dry process which I can provide both as electronic or paper copies. We also have a selection of signage that you can put up at the club – just ask for some.
 
I look forward to hearing from you,
 
Kind regards
 
Will
 
Will Burchnall
Wetland Bio-Security Officer
Broads Authority
 
Mobile: 07788 438121
DD 01603 756003
www.broads-authority.gov.uk