This project grant has enabled the replacement of a deteriorating Rapid Incursion Response Hub (RIRH) storage container in Edinburgh with a new, purpose-built stainless steel storage unit. The hub forms part of the wider Biosecurity for Scotland’s Seabird Islands programme (2023–2026), which works with island managers, communities and partner organisations to protect Scotland’s internationally important seabird islands from invasive non-native mammalian predators.
RIRHs are critical to the project’s ability to respond quickly to potential predator incursions on seabird islands. These hubs store essential response equipment including rodenticide, traps, monitoring equipment, camping gear, and health and safety equipment. Ensuring this equipment is secure, dry, accessible, and maintained in good condition is essential to enabling a rapid and effective response.
This new stainless-steel storage unit has an expected lifespan of approximately 20 years, supporting the continuation of rapid incursion responses across the seabird islands in the Firth of Forth.
In 2025 SMEEF was able to provide a grant of £3,630 to support this work using resources from the Nature Restoration Fund.