RISC and ALERT Marine Non-Native Species (Chinese Mitten Crab, Wakame and Carpet Sea Squirt) Records

Recording Invasive Species Counts (RISC) alongside ALERT was launched in 2010 and includes on-line recording for 19 species including the Chinese Mitten Crab Eriocheir sinensis, Wakame Undaria pinnatifida and Carpet Sea Squirt Didemnum vexillum. The data is predominantly provided by members of the public but records are verified from photos by designated experts. No additional attribute data is included for the Carpet Sea Squirt. The recording forms for Chinese Mitten Crab and Wakame includes the option to provide abundance. Additionally for the Chinese Mitten Crab information on whether it is dead or alive is recorded and for Wakame attachment method (attached to boat, attached to other man-made surface, attach to natural surface or detached) is recorded.
Purpose of data capture: The records were collected through the Recording Invasive Species Counts (RISC) project and the ALERT system which was launched in 2010 as a partnership between the NBN, BRC and associated recording schemes and societies. The Chinese Mitten Crab, Wakame and Carpet Sea Squirt data was collated in conjunction with the Marine Biological Association. RISC is embedded within the GB-NNSIP alongside species selected as ALERT for which on-line records allow for rapid notification to the Non-Native Species Secretariat. RISC was established in raise awareness of invasive non-native species and to increase distribution data for a selection of species considered to meet a number of criteria which ensured their suitability for recording by the public. Increasing the availability of distribution data is an important component of the Non-Native Species Framework Strategy for Great Britain.

Methods of data capture: The data is collected by members of the public reporting their sightings through an on-line recording form (powered by Indicia). The records are generally casual observations but might also result from a systematic survey of a water body or surrounding locality. Records submitted with a photograph are verified by a designated expert and only these records are included within the dataset.

Geographical coverage: The geographic extent of the RISC dataset is GB. Ireland records non-native species through Invasive Ireland. The majority of records in this dataset are collated with six figure grid-references.

Temporal coverage: RISC has been promoted both during the initial launch phase and subsequently through conference talks and media attention. Additionally RISC includes mostly high profile species. The Chinese Mitten Crab has been the subject of an intense campaign of recording by the MBA with relevant partners. Therefore, recording activity is likely to have been maintained at a high level. All the records have a full date (DD/MM/YYYY).

Data quality: The data should be regarded as accurate because of the verification and validation mechanisms.

Additional information sources	: The Chinese Mitten Crab data can be viewed with contextual tekst through the MBA Mitten Crab Recording project (http://mittencrabs.org.uk/distribution) and the Wakame data can be viewed with contextual information within MarLIN (http://www.marlin.ac.uk/speciesinformation.php?speciesID=4547). All species are included within the GB Non-Native Species Information Portal as factsheets: Chinese Mitten Crab (https://secure.fera.defra.gov.uk/nonnativespecies/factsheet/factsheet.cfm?speciesId=1379), Wakame (https://secure.fera.defra.gov.uk/nonnativespecies/factsheet/factsheet.cfm?speciesId=3643), Carpet Sea Squirt (https://secure.fera.defra.gov.uk/nonnativespecies/factsheet/factsheet.cfm?speciesId=1209)