2009 Overseas Territories Invasive Species workshop.
A workshop was held at JNCC, Peterborough between 18-19 March
2009 to determine future priorities for JNCC's work in relation to
invasive alien species (IAS) in the UK's Overseas Territories (OTs)
and Crown Dependencies (CDs).
The objective of the workshop was 'to determine where best
JNCC's activities in this field shoudl be directed in terms of
where and with whom it should be working and to what end. It is
asiomatic that JNCC's activity should complement rather than
duplicate existing activity. Particular attention will be given to
identifying areas where JNCC may be able to fulfil unique roles or
wher its activity could be supportive of other organisations or
stakeholders."
The workshop was attended by a number of experts from the
UKOTs and UK and there were a series of plenary and group
discussions around a range of issues including priorities, who's
doing what, and what can JNCC do. The background papers
for the discussions included
- an update of the database on non-natives in the UKOTs and
CDs
- An overview of invasive species in the UKOTs and CDs:
Priorities for action (Aiding risk assesment and prioritisation of
eradication and control measures)
- Audit of current activity on invasive species in the UKOTs and
CDs.
Case studies were also presented:
- A summary of Invasive Alien Species work in Turks and Caicos by
Marlon Hibbert
- An assessment of the level of awareness and attitudes towards
invasive species among residents in Anguilla by Rhon Connor.
The second day explored the potential for developing a
regional Caribbean UKOT invasives project, which is
subsequently being taken forward led by the Cayman Islands
Department of Environment with support from JNCC.
The workshop was very useful for all attendees, and the
outcomes were fed into the JNCC thematic plan on invasives,
and a costed action plan for JNCC's input into non-natives in the
UKOTs and CDs will be developed.