Killer Shrimp now in Wales – Take precautions

. A key ID feature is the presence of cone shaped protrusions on the tail. Often larger than native freshwater shrimp species and sometimes with a striped appearance.

It is a voracious predator, killing invertebrates and small fish. It quickly dominates habitats it invades and can significantly alter their ecology.

It is tolerant of poor water quality and can survive in damp conditions  for up to five days. It could therefore be spread in ballast water and also by people on kit used in the water, including angling gear, boats, kayaks and trailers.

Dikerogammarus villosus, sometimes known as the ‘killer shrimp’, is an invasive non-native species that has spread from the Ponto-Caspian  region of Eastern Europe.

If this gets into our river system it will have devastating consequences.

It was first reported in the UK on 3rd September 2010 in Grafham Water SSSI in Cambridgeshire, and was subsequently detected on 25th November in Cardiff Bay, and on 26th November in Eglwys Nunydd reservoir  (Port Talbot).It has also been detected on the Norfolk Broads

This shrimp is now here so it is vitally important that anglers take biosecurity precautions when moving from one river system to another or fishing on stillwaters these shrimps can live for days on your nets and clothing if it comes into the Towy system it could mean the end of our fishery and therefore our sport.

If facilities allow, equipment can be hosed down or pressure-washed to remove shrimps. The washings should be contained and not allowed to enter any watercourse or drainage system currently free from Dikerogammarus villosus.

The current best method for preventing spread is to thoroughly dry clothing and equipment. Boots and nets should be hung-up to dry. Equipment should be dry for 48 hours before it is used elsewhere. The shrimp can survive up to 15 days in damp conditions and up to 2 days in dry conditions, so the drying process must be thorough.

Particular attention must be paid to the seams and seals of boots and waders.

Check the FERA website for more information:

https://secure.fera.defra.gov.uk/nonnativespecies/alerts/index.cfm?id=3

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