Welcome to Invasive Species Week! Have you been wondering how you can make a difference as a diver when it comes to preventing the spread of non-native species along our coasts?
One way that you can prevent the spread of marine invasives is by making sure you follow the Check Clean Dry process, which encourages all water users to help prevent the spread of invasive species by checking their equipment thoroughly after use. This will reduce the chances of something non-native hiding in your equipment after a dive.
Another one of the main things you can do as a diver to help with invasives species control is submitting your sightings of non-native species. Here in NI, of course, we ask that you submit your records to CEDaR NI, and if you see an invasive species while out and about, it is critical that the record is sent to CEDaR. To aid in the awareness and monitoring of invasive species, CEDaR have updated their handy diver’s guide to invasive species, especially for invasive species week!
This short guide, “A Diver’s Guide to Identifying and recording 10 of Northern Ireland’s Marine Invasive Species” contains all the information you need to recognise 10 common invasive species, submit your sighting, and improve your prevention measures to limit the spread of invasives.
Access the guide via dive-ni.org and soon you’ll be handily identifying ten of the most common invasive species on our coasts!
The publication of CEDaR’s updated guide is a great welcome to Invasive Species Week 2026.
This is the week that we aim to raise awareness of this widespread issue and take practical action to prevent the spread of invasive species in our natural environment.
Invasive species week has been held annually since 2015, when DEFRA and The GB Non-native Species Secretariat launched a week long program of social media posts to raise awareness of invasive species in the UK, and encourage the public to report any sightings of invasive species to the correct organisation (which varies depending on where in the UK you are).
The event has grown since 2015 and now includes not only social media campaigns but training, outreach events and species management sessions. Check out Invasivespeciesni.co.uk for more information and an event schedule.
So, if you spend a lot of time in the natural environment, and/or if you are a keen diver, we encourage you to learn about Non-native Invasive species in Northern Ireland and be vigilant to prevent the spread of invasives around the country, this week and in the future.
Download your copy of A Diver’s Guide to Identifying and recording 10 of Northern Ireland’s Marine Invasive Species, and be sure to look out for future publications for divers and for those who want to learn more about the coastal and underwater environment.
