Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) and fish parasites or diseases are readily transferred from one watercourse to another on angling tackle, boats and protective clothing. These can be very damaging to resident fish stocks, the aquatic habitat and the general environment. In order to ensure that invasive species and fish diseases are not inadvertently transferred into Ireland’s waters from abroad or within the country from an infested water body to one that is free from these organisms, it is essential that all angling equipment is routinely inspected and disinfected following each fishing trip.

Download the documnet

Biosecurity for Angling Equipment [.pdf, 1MB]

Research & control of Lagarosiphon major

Research on approaches to controlling the Lagarosiphon weed in Lough Corrib and the efficacy of these measures is continuing apace.  Indeed, the CAISIE team has just got a scientific paper published in a leading international aquatic invasive species journal Aquatic Invasions about the novel approach being used to control this problematic weed (http://www.aquaticinvasions.net/2010/AI_2010_5_2_Caffrey_etal.pdf).  The method employs an environmentally friendly biodegradable jute matting which additionally has been demonstrated to rehabilitate the previously extirpated native plant communities.  Indeed, these plants are an important keystone habitat for the native macroinvertebrates and fish in the lake.

The distribution of the weed in Lough Corrib is being monitored as an ongoing concern.  An extensive survey of the lower lake to assess whether it has become established has just been completed.  Fortunately, no Lagarosiphon was found to be present, however, a number of habitat ‘hot spots’ were identified that are considered ideal for the weed to colonise.  These areas will be monitored regularly in future to facilitate an early detection should the weed attempt to establish in this part of the lake.

The strategy to control the Lagarosiphon major infestation in the lake has shifted from mechanical cutting in the autumn to spring period to large-scale and small-scale jute matting application during the summer months.  This is because the weed typically collapses in late spring reverting from its characteristic erect canopy forming phase.

The mechanical cutting of Rinnerroon Bay earlier this year has been very successful in locally controlling the Lagarosiphon infestation.  A recent survey showed no significant re-growth to date.  Before the cutting, this bay had become almost completely clogged up by the weed, inhibiting its use as a boating and angling amenity.  The ongoing status of weed in the bay will be monitored going forward.

Education and awareness, and stakeholder engagement

We held a highly successful technical workshop in Athlone in April 2010 beside Lough Ree (this lake has recently been invaded by the bloody-red shrimp).  The primary aim of this workshop was to further inform the development of the CAISIE project action plans.  As well as the very informative presentations, many useful and interesting discussions were held throughout the day.  Around 100 people attended this event including both national and international aquatic invasive species scientists and policymakers, staff from the relevant state agencies and other public bodies, and representatives of angling and boating federations.

This was followed by a public forum on aquatic invasive species held in Galway city at the end of April 2010.  Members of the CAISIE project from the Central Fisheries Board as well as representatives of the Western Regional Fisheries Boards were on hand to inform the participants and answer questions on the latest research and control of Lagarosiphon major in Lough Corrib.  In addition, aquatic invasive specimens were on display and this included Ireland’s new invasive species, the Asian clam, recently discovered in part of our other study area on the River Barrow system.  Over 50 people attended this event including concerned members of the public, Galway city and county councillors, and local angling and boating federations.  The feedback received was most valuable and this was added to by some excellent contributions from the audience.

Arising from this meeting, representations have just been made to Galway county council to reiterate the seriousness of the Lagarosiphon major infestation in Lough Corrib to impact on both current and future angling and recreational amenity use of the lake as well as the potential of the weed to contribute to significant flooding problems in the Corrib catchment should it become established in the lower lake.

On a lighter note, CAISIE held a demonstration stand for Fisheries Awareness Week and International Biodiversity Day at the Western Regional Fisheries Board HQ beside the salmon weir in Galway city in early May.  It really was a fun day and the weather was superb.  We met many interested members of the public and were encouraged by their knowledge on the topic of invasive species in Ireland. We showed them some of the problematic aquatic species that we now have in Ireland, including a preserved specimen of the Chinese mitten crab which was found in the lower Barrow estuary in 2008.

One of the roles of CAISIE is to promote the education and awareness of aquatic invasive species in Ireland.  In addition to the above, we have had articles published in both local and national media outlets since the project commenced.  These have included RTÉ’s EcoEye, TG4 nuacht, The Irish Times, The Examiner, The Connaught Tribune and Connaught Telegraph, Galway Independent and Galway Bay Fm among others.  It was nice to see some underwater video footage we had taken of the Lagarosiphon weed with our digital camera shown on the TG4 nuacht!

What else?

The water level in Lough Corrib is now at its lowest since last October.  Indeed, a local paper here in Galway reported last week that the River Corrib is now at its lowest level in 15 years.  There is currently only one sluice gate open at the salmon weir in the city itself.  Many shallows in the lake that are usually covered are now partly exposed.  This includes the sighting of exposed boulders above the water line at the aptly named ‘long shallow’ in the middle of the southern part of the upper lake.  This comes after the worst flooding in over 850 years which occurred back in November and the unusual prolonged cold snap in late winter which was the harshest since the early 1960s.

With the water levels so low, it certainly is awe-inspiring on a calm day when transversing the lake on the boat to the various fieldwork sites where you can see right down into the lake bottom and wonder about the large wild fish that grace these waters.  Majestic Atlantic salmon and freshwater eels passing through, returning to the tributaries or out to sea, beautiful Lough Corrib brown trout and their ferox relatives, as well as specimen predatory pike.  Sometimes we have looked up when sampling underwater, only to see one of these fish staring right at us for a moment before scampering off in an instant into the great abyss.

Some interesting finds in the lake while sampling recently include an old fyke net riddled with zebra  mussels, freshwater sponges and charophyte plants and a fairly expensive fly fishing rod, complete with reel, line and fly.  As it turned out the rod had fallen off a lake boat four days earlier, unbeknown where to its English owner, as he travelled in from a day’s fishing.  Owner and the rod are now happily reunited.

The CAISIE project offices are now fully set up on the lake shore.  Many thanks to the local staff of the Western Regional Fisheries Board and the FAS team who helped us get off the ground.

Lagarosiphon major at Bob’s Island © CAISIE

The growing crown of Lagarosiphon major © CAISIE

Jute matting application © Joe Caffrey

Native plant re-establishment on the jute matting at Ard Point © Joe Caffrey

Following the discovery of the Asian clam in April 2010, sampling trips have been undertaken to try to discover the full extent of the clam infestation.

The area around St. Mullins has been a hub of activity with staff from the Central Fisheries board, CAISIE and Southern Regional Fisheries Board all helping out with the research. A range of sampling techniques has been used including deploying SCUBA divers to the site to quantify the problem.

Invasive species survey

On the 24th May 2010, the CFB and CAISIE staff undertook a week and a half long boat based survey of the Grand Canal (west) and the Barrow Navigation.

Staff from The Central Board were gratefully aided with the logistics by Waterways Ireland in this large scale operation to assess the distribution of invasive species throughout this network of canals. The team recorded information on native plant communities, invasive species, drainage structures/angling infrastructure (as this may aid in facilitating movement of invasives between the canal and neighbouring rivers) and stakeholder usage at over 90 locations along the 227km stretch. This data will contribute to up-to-date maps of the invasive species distribution as well as informing the design of strategic action plans to control the problem species.

A number of invasive species were found in abundance throughout the trip including Himalayan Balsam, Japanese knotweed, Crassula helmsii and Elodea nuttallii. However the full extent of the problem will not be known until the entire Grand Canal is surveyed. The stretch between Lowtown and Dublin (Grand Canal East) is next on the agenda and the team are hopeful the good weather will continue!

Invasive species survey Gallery

A number of children took part, with colourful animations of the Invasive Weed “Lagarosiphon major” and native freshwater fish species.

The competition entries were very colourful and well presented, the team from Galway Atlantaquaria judged the competition and first prize went to Darragh Reilly of Loughrea, Co. Galway.

1^st prize winner, Darragh Reilly.

A range of events took place on the day, face painting, fly tying, fly casting, Fisheries past & present Museum, A River Trail Walk, BBQ and a display of native species from the Galway Aquarium.

Crowds from the river walk enjoyed the display of invasive’s, aquarium species and the fly tying & casting lessons.  A barbeque was laid on for all participants of the fisheries awareness day and children had there face painted some with Aquatic invasive’s and theme’s of biodiversity.

Fisheries awareness week & Biodiversity day Photo album:

Information and a demonstration was given by staff from the CAISIE team on biosecurity techniques and invasive species to all who attended the NCFFI Junior angling competition on Sat the 29^th of May, 2010 at Ferns Lock, Kilcock. Turn out for the event was great and the talk outlined the problems associated with invasive species, what to look out for throughout Ireland and what can be done to stop the spread.

Discussing problems with invasive species and demonstrating biodiversity – Pictures from the day:

Figure 1: Dr. S Evers outlines problem species and the impacts they have to Ireland waterways.

Figure 2: Demonstration of how to clean your gear – including stink bags!

Staff showed how to clean and inspect angling gear after fishing why it is important to stop the spread of invasive species. Information leaflets, booklets and stickers on invasive species and Biosecurity were given out to all participants at the talk and final award presentation.

Figure 3: Giving out stickers for boats and tackle boxes to remind everyone on what to do for good Biosecurity.

Figure 4: A great turn out for the event!

Figure 5: Everyone reading about the CAISIE project and invasive species in Ireland!

Ireland is home to more than a 100 alien animals and plants – and with the number rising there is currently no legislation to stop anyone importing such species.

To most people these alien species can look relatively innocent, even pretty, but their environmental and economic impact can be enormous. Worldwide, the estimated impact of invasive species is $1.4 trillion per year. That figure equates to 5% of the entire global economy!

Huge damage is already being done to Ireland’s inland waterways by the likes of the South African Pondweed (Lagarosiphon major) and the Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha).

Parts of Lough Corrib are now so choked by densely growing Lagarosiphon that swans can walk across it without getting their feet wet! Meanwhile, populations of the Zebra mussel – a native of the Caspian Sea – are increasing in midland lakes and rivers where it poses a potentially serious threat to pipes and turbines at electricity generating stations.

The latest alien species to arrive in Ireland is the Asian Clam (Corbicula flumina) It has set up home in the River Barrow, and is sure to spread further afield. In the USA this tiny shellfish alone is causing up to $1bn damage every year.

Alien species threaten to disrupt the natural biodiversity of Irish waters by competing with the long-established native species – out-competing them for food and space – and eventually, killing them off altogether.

A €1.5m EU-funded programme has been launched to introduce eradication and control methods in Lough Corrib, the Grand Canal and in the Barrow Navigation Line.

Alien species is the subject of the lead story in the next issue of INSHORE IRELAND which publishes on May 29. This issue will also contain a double-page full colour field guide ‘rogues gallery’ of the most common alien species found here.

Further information: Gery Flynn, 091 844 822; flynn@inshore-ireland.com

Two papers: ‘Control of Lagarosiphon major and Restoration of Indigenous Communities Using a Biodegradable Jute Matting to Exclude Light’ and ‘Understanding the Lifecycle and Morphology of the Invasive Lagarosiphon major in Lough Corrib, Ireland, in Order to Develop Effective Control Practices’ will be presented by Dr Joe Caffrey and Dr Michael Millane, respectively.

The conference will be attended by over 400 participants from 30 countries and will provide CAISIE an opportunity to present our work on aquatic invasive species. The conference is considered the most comprehensive international forum for the review of accumulated scientific knowledge; presentation of new field research; introduction of technological developments for prevention, monitoring and control; and discussion of policy, legislation, public education and outreach initiatives to raise awareness of the impacts of aquatic invasive species and prevent new introductions.

Follow us on twitter for updates www.twitter.com/aisireland

Dr. Stephanie Evers will demonstrate the cleaning of angling gear as well as talk to the attendees about CAISIE, invasives and biosecurity.

We look forward to meeting you there.

Take part in our Colouring Competition[.pdf, 5MB] & Quiz [.doc, 370KB], we will be handing out prizes to the best entries shortly after 4pm , entrants can take part on the day or get a head start now, download the competition picture [.pdf, 5MB] and or the quiz [.doc, 370KB]and drop in your entries to us at our stall (Look out for the stall with the Aquarium).

Location:

The Western Regional Fisheries Board,
Teach Breac,
Earl’s Island,
Galway,

Date:  22/05/2010

Closing time for Competition entries: 4pm