Ballast water in ships is a principal way in which alien species are introduced into new aquatic habitats. Commercial trading ships are, therefore, required to treat their ballast water to meet discharge standards and regulation. The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has approved a range of methods for ballast water treatment, such as filtration, ultraviolet radiation […]

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Environment Audit Committee  ‘Establishing a Nature Volunteer Force (Citizens’ Army) to monitor invasive species is one of a number of recommendations the Government is exploring following the Environmental Audit Committee’s report on Invasive Species. Read the Government Response [HTML] and [PDF] Inquiry: Invasive Species  Urgent action needed Last year, the Committee published its report on invasive species, finding that they […]

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The Tweed and its tributaries offer a rich and unique series of networked habitats for biodiversity in a landscape dominated by agriculture and, increasingly, forestry. The River Tweed, and many of its major tributaries, are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI); and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) for Ranunculus species, lamprey species, otter […]

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