Katherine Latham of the BBC reports on how athletes are combatting invasive species.
- Olympic athletes, particularly windsurfers, sailors, and rowers, are taking an active role in combating invasive species in aquatic environments.
- One way in which they are pushing back against invasive species is with the “check, clean, dry” process for the athletes boats and equipment which has been found to effectively control invasive non-native species.
- The 2012 London Olympics provided a huge injection of cash which allowed the U.K. to transform a derelict industrial area into a thriving urban oasis of biodiversity.
“Invasive species can be a particular concern in ports and harbours due to the movement of a large number of boats, as well as the sheltered environments they provide. In Weymouth Harbour alone, 18 different non-native species were found in 2023. These include Japanese kelp which grows quickly on hard surfaces such jetties and moorings, outcompeting native kelp; slipper limpets which settle in wave-protected areas like marinas where they smother other seabed species and consume planktonic larvae; and trumpet tubeworms which gather in huge numbers to form large reef-like structures. But, says Read, by carrying out a simple ‘clean, check, dry‘ procedure we can minimise the introduction and spread of such invasive species.”
Read the full article here.
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