Biosecurity Plan for the Shetland Islands
The Marine Spatial Planning Team at Shetland UHI has developed a Biosecurity Plan for the Shetland Islands (pdf) guided by the Shetland Islands Regional Marine Plan Advisory Group.
The purpose of the Biosecurity Plan is to provide a useful and practical guidance framework to reduce the risks associated with the introduction of non-native species (NNS). The need for a comprehensive marine Biosecurity Plan was identified in the fourth edition of the Shetland Islands’ Marine Spatial Plan, by highlighting the importance of identifying and assessing pathways and vectors that may lead to the spread of ‘invasive’ non-native species (INNS).
This Biosecurity Plan provides useful and practical information on best practice procedures for all marine users that will contribute to the effective management of marine NNS.
Marine industry is an essential part of Shetland’s economy and therefore the potential for damage by marine INNS is considerable. The implementation of the Biosecurity Plan for the Shetland Islands will address the concerns posed by marine INNS by providing the following benefits:
- Ensuring NNS monitoring and management in the Shetland region is cost effective, efficient, and follows national guidelines.
- Reducing the potential for NNS introduction and establishment in Shetland.
- Reducing the impacts posed by INNS on the local aquaculture and fisheries industries.
- Reducing the threat to Shetland’s marine biodiversity from NNS.
- Conservation of natural habitats and ecosystems that are of local, national, and international importance.
- Ensuring all marine users, including aquaculture, fishing, commercial shipping, and recreational boating, are aware of codes of best practice for reducing the introduction and spread of NNS.
