AQUA - Biosecurity Accreditation

16/10/2026

Really happy to announce Dewsbury Angling Clubs Bronze AQUA Award for biosecurity! Great to have anglers so dedicated to maintaining their aquatic habitats through biosecurity!

16/10/2026

Very well done and congrats to South East Waters first AQUA Bronze Award at the Ardingly Reservoir! Such a great submission, many thanks!

16/10/2026

Huge congratulations to Northumbrian Waters, Derwent Reservoir. Achieving their initial AQUA Bronze Award! Really great biosecurity work and hopefully onto Silver or Gold very soon!

21/07/2026

Well done Highbridge, great work!!

🎣🦠 Biosecurity Week – A Complete Overview 🦠🎣

As Biosecurity Week comes to a close, we’d like to thank everyone who has followed our posts and taken the time to learn more about the importance of protecting our fisheries.

Biosecurity is much more than a policy or a checklist – it’s a vital part of safeguarding our lakes, rivers, fish stocks, and wildlife for future generations of anglers.

Throughout the week, we’ve highlighted the work Highbridge Angling Association carries out behind the scenes to prevent the spread of invasive non-native species and fish diseases.

🌊 Why Biosecurity Matters

Invasive species can have a devastating impact on our waterways. Once established, they are extremely difficult and costly to control, often outcompeting native species, damaging habitats, increasing flood risks, and affecting the health of our fisheries.

Across our waters we currently monitor and manage invasive species including:

• Zebra Mussels at Walrow and Newton
• Invasive aquatic plants at Walrow, Newton and the River Brue
• Himalayan Balsam
• Giant Hogweed

These species pose significant risks to biodiversity and the long-term health of our fisheries.

🧼 What We Do

Every time our volunteers and fishery team work on the banks, all equipment must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before being used elsewhere. This is carried out using hot steam pressure washers and Virkon disinfectant.

What many anglers don’t see is that this process can take between 1 and 4 hours every single time equipment is used.

To further reduce risks, Walrow provides:

✅ Landing nets
✅ Unhooking mats
✅ Cradles and fish care equipment

By keeping dedicated equipment on-site, we greatly reduce the chance of invasive species or diseases being transported between fisheries.

🎣 How Anglers Can Help

Biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility.

One of the simplest ways anglers can help is by ensuring all club equipment remains at the fishery after use. When nets, cradles, landing nets and keepnets are taken home, not only does it increase the risk of spreading invasive species, but it also creates a significant financial burden on the club.

Last year alone, Highbridge Angling Association lost approximately £1,800 worth of equipment that had to be replaced. Unfortunately, costs like these contribute to increases in ticket prices.

💚 Working Together

Biosecurity is discussed at every club meeting because protecting our waters remains one of our highest priorities. Every volunteer, committee member and angler has a role to play.

Whether it’s cleaning equipment, reporting invasive species, using the facilities provided, or simply following biosecurity guidance, every action makes a difference.

Together we can help prevent the spread of invasive species, protect our fish stocks, preserve biodiversity, and ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy the fantastic fishing opportunities our waters provide.

Thank you for supporting Highbridge Angling Association and helping us protect the waters we all love.

25/06/2026

https://www.nts.org.uk/stories/problem-rhododendron-ponticum-garden-guide

In 2020 the Trust began a nationwide project, Project Wipeout, which aimed to free our natural environment of invasive plant species. One of the plant…

25/06/2026

Find out which non-native plants are invasive in the UK, information on legislation that covers them, and how to control their spread in your garden.

25/06/2026

https://blog.cabi.org/2026/06/24/uk-minister-visits-cabi-to-strengthen-action-against-britains-most-destructive-invasive-species/

A Defra visit highlights the vital role of science-based approaches to tackle the UK's invasive species, protect biodiversity and ecosystems

23/06/2026

🦠🎣 Biosecurity Week Starts Today! 🎣🦠

Welcome to Highbridge Angling Association’s Biosecurity Week!

Throughout the week, we’ll be sharing information about what biosecurity means, why it’s so important, and the steps we’re taking to protect our waters and fish stocks.

Biosecurity is a key topic at every club meeting. We work hard to prevent invasive species and harmful organisms from being introduced to our fisheries, helping to keep our lakes and rivers healthy for future generations of anglers.

Did you know? At Walrow, we provide our own landing nets and unhooking mats to help reduce the risk of spreading invasive species and diseases between venues.

We’ll also be sharing a short video explaining biosecurity and a link to our website where you can learn more about why these measures matter and how you can play your part.

🌊 Every angler can make a difference.

Together, we can help stop the spread of invasive species and protect the waters we all enjoy fishing.
https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Furl.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com%2Fs%2FPyFuClR3LFmnqKNtGfncz_Dbf%3Fdomain%3Dbing.com&data=05%7C02%7Cbryan.webb%40vpplc.com%7C369fd559dac0474f86d608decd10ce98%7C6a47437689724035adc529fd30e57539%7C1%7C0%7C639173670051461087%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=6IMDFbk4oJKDIVNguaESaG8%2FUNvVKU9xMqHCFYsWfXg%3D&reserved=

23/06/2026

🌿 Welcome to National Invasive Species Week 2026! 🌿

As part of , we’re highlighting our ongoing efforts to manage persistent invasive non-native species in our area: Giant hogweed, American skunk cabbage, Japanese knotweed and Himalayan balsam.

Across the Tweed catchment, invasive non-native species threaten our rivers, wildlife and landscapes. Species such as Giant Hogweed, Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam and American Skunk Cabbage can outcompete native plants, damage habitats and create long-term management challenges.
The Tweed INNS Project works with landowners, fisheries, local authorities and communities to find, control and prevent the spread of invasive species across the catchment.

Throughout the week we'll be sharing practical ways you can help protect the River Tweed and its tributaries.

🌊 Follow along and discover how small actions can make a big difference.
🛑 If you spot INNS, please report it to:
📧 [email protected]
📍 Learn more about how we are tackling these species: https://tweedforum.org/our-work/projects/tweed-invasives-project/ https://lifewader.co.uk/

23/06/2026