From Abstraction to Action: Supporting Environmental Destination
As part of a pioneering collaboration, APEM Group worked alongside WSP and HR Wallingford to develop a robust and future-focused...
APEM Group - Case Study
APEM Group’s Marine Consultancy and Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) teams collaborated with the Port of Cromarty Firth (PoCF) in Scotland to develop a comprehensive Biosecurity Plan, addressing the growing risk of marine INNS.Â
Project Summary
With a diverse range of sectors operating within PoCF’s Statutory Harbour Authority area – including shipping, offshore energy, recreation, tourism, and aquaculture – the risk of introducing and spreading INNS is potentially high. The Biosecurity Plan was designed to mitigate the immediate threat that these sectors may present in relation to the accidental movement of INNS, reducing the threat they pose to local wildlife by establishing long-term management strategies.
APEM’s work focused on delivering practical, achievable biosecurity measures tailored to the wide variety of port-related activities, ensuring that they could be effectively adopted across all relevant sectors. Work was presented in a concise, easily accessible document, presenting clear justification for each recommended action along with how they should be most effectively implemented.
Key Project Stats
This project was the first tailored Biosecurity Plan to include both port operations and construction activities at PoCF.
The Port of Cromarty Firth is approximately 30km long and typically between 1 and 2km wide, and up to 6km in places, with a total surface area of over 3,700 hectares (ha).
Seven non-native species have been recorded in the PoCF, including 3 UK Marine Priority species;
- Japanese skeleton shrimp
- Orange ripple bryozoan
- Slipper limpet
Total annual cost of INNS in marine ports to UK economy (Eschen et al 2023) is over ÂŁ4 billion, of which ~ÂŁ500 million is attributed to Scotland.
Project Challenge: Managing Risk Across a Multi-Use Port
INNS pose environmental, economic and reputational risks to ports and their associated industries. Sectors such as cruise tourism, renewable energy and shellfish production may inadvertently introduce and spread or be negatively affected by INNS.
At PoCF, the diversity of operations, combined with the need for a fast turnaround, required a bespoke solution developed under tight time constraints.
With limited time and a new client relationship, clear communication was vital. APEM established a regular feedback cycle with key stakeholders at PoCF, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements and operational realities. APEM’s proactive approach meant clear and sustainable solutions were identified, agreed with the client, with updates integrated swiftly, streamlining the development process.
APEM Group Solution
The resulting Biosecurity Plan developed by APEM provides targeted, practical guidance for port users to minimise the risk of INNS introduction and spread. Crucially, it goes beyond routine operations to also address the biosecurity implications of port construction and development activities. This comprehensive proactive approach supports a holistic and future-proofed strategy for managing the risk INNS present, reducing potential future environmental and economic impacts.
The success of the plan was underpinned by the close collaboration between APEM’s Marine Consultancy and INNS teams. By combining INNS expertise with in-depth knowledge of marine development and ecology, the teams combined complementary skills to deliver a robust, accessible and adaptable biosecurity plan.
This multidisciplinary approach ensured that the plan not only met current ecological challenges but also aligned with the operational realities and future ambitions of the PoCF.
Lasting Impact of Biosecurity
PoCF is now actively using APEM’s Biosecurity Plan to inform its Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), ensuring marine INNS risks are identified, considered, and mitigated early. Once implemented, the plan will play a key role in preserving the port’s ecological integrity while supporting the continued success of industries operating within its boundaries.
By embedding INNS management into both daily operations and long-term planning, the Biosecurity Plan will reduce the risk of costly future remediation. It also strengthens regulatory compliance, lowers operational risk, and provides a blueprint for protecting the port’s economic and environmental future.
Transferring Port Biosecurity Expertise to Wider Markets
INNS are a growing concern across multiple water-dependent industries. They disrupt native habitats, impact biodiversity, interfere with infrastructure, and reduce the resilience of aquatic ecosystems to climate change. Addressing these threats requires not only effective risk identification and management but also a deep understanding of ecosystem dynamics along with the relevant sectors.
By combining the skillsets of relevant experts, APEM’s approach to biosecurity planning and INNS risk management provides a strategic, data-driven framework that supports industries operating in diverse and interconnected aquatic markets, from coastal developments to inland waterways. Interested in finding out more about the wider role ports and harbours are playing in the Offshore Wind market? Read more in our latest article here.
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