Update on Progress Dee and Don INNS control SISI - Building upon existing successful control. AWPR - Establishing new control areas AWPR - Lower Dee - Completed. Mink control ongoing – reduced extent. Quick summary of INNS projects underway and recently completed. SISI - Building upon existing successful control. AWPR - Establishing new control areas on Don and R.Urie. AWPR - Previous control programme completed across lower Dee. Mink control ongoing – reduced extent.

Plant Control SISI Upper Don Middle Dee River Cowie and Carron AWPR Lower Dee Middle Don River Urie SISI – Upper Don and Middle Dee & Cowie and Carron – Making a difference 8th year of control. Building upon SEPA WEF project. INNS extent reduced and stands are sparse. So much so that we are considering a hand over to local angling association, whom we have trained and supported throughout this period. AWPR – Project completed in Lower Dee. However, Storm Frank has opened up HB seed bank and its now more widespread than before. 3rd and final season of control on the R. Urie and Middle Don. Significant inroads made into the density of stands of GH in the Don. Last year was the first time ever that Strathdon to Inverurie (63km) was treated in a single sweep. Urie is wall to wall with GH anyone driving A96 will see that. Last two seasons complete control from source to 8km downstream, looking to extend this distance in third season by utilising two teams working in synchrony and community volunteer groups.

Mink Control Building upon over a decade of control. Committed core volunteers remain. Mink numbers on low ebb. Focus on priority areas. Mink Mink are still present with some recent captures (total = 2) in the middle Don catchment - Low numbers overall. Need to remain vigilant. Hiatus in control effort during PO break. Big thanks to those who have remained patient through this period. Focus upon raft network and priority areas. Resources and volunteers targeted towards historical key Mink Hotspots.

Next Steps Introduce new PO’s. Encourage handover to community groups. Focus upon priority areas for mink control. Training opportunities and volunteer reward days. Remain vigilant for emerging INNS Introduce new PO’s to volunteers and project areas. Expand INNS control and encourage handover to community groups. Focus upon priority areas for mink control. Re-establish volunteer network and ‘give back’ through training opportunities and volunteer reward days. Remain vigilant for emerging INNS (Pinks and Piri piri burr).

Thanks to Thanks to all volunteers and funding bodies for the various phases of control