A NEW and dangerous non-native invasive plant, Ludwigia grandiflora (Creeping water-primrose) has been confirmed by the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards in a pond in Co Kerry. Its location and identification followed a report from a vigilant landowner in Sneem. It is the first time for the plant to be recorded in Ireland.
A native of South America and some US states, the plant is a water-based herb with deep roots and tough stems. It forms dense tangle mats strong enough to impede passage of boats and prevent angling, swimming and other water-based recreational activities.
Once established it will compete with native plants, resulting in damage to the native habitat. Its presence can also lead to a reduction in dissolved oxygen levels in the water and under certain conditions may adversely affect fish stocks.
Dr Joe Caffrey, senior research scientist with the Central Fisheries Board, said: “If this invasive species were to spread throughout Ireland, the economic and ecological cost to the country would be too great to quantify.” He added: “It is a cause of concern that many of these non-native invasive species can be purchased from retail outlets nationwide. However, legislation will soon make it illegal to import or sell such highly invasive species and this development is to be welcomed.”
An angling passport scheme and development of programmes to encourage children to become interested in fishing and fish management are just two ideas likely to be introduced in Kerry shortly. They are the result of an exchange visit of angling representatives from Ireland to the UK and Wales last week.
The event involved six angling and tourism representatives from the Waterville and Caragh River areas visiting the Devon-Cornwall region and Brecon Beacons and Merthyr Tydfil in Wales.
South Kerry Development Partnership Ltd is the lead partner in Collabor8, a €10.6 million project co-funded by Interreg IVB NWE along with nine associates in Wales, the UK, the Netherlands and Belgium.
The group saw a selection of schemes ranging from hatcheries to river-maintenance projects. Presentations were keen to stress the need to ensure sustainability of projects through strong environmental factors and to provide a “céad míle fáilte” to visitors.
Collabor8’s communications officer, Seán de Buitléar, said: “The timing of the trip was ideal in terms of marketing as the proposed re-introduction of the Cork-Swansea ferry should make an angling trip to the south Kerry region more straightforward.”
Angling guide Bill Ryan discovered 11 dead triggerfish and one ballan wrasse while walking Kilkee Strand in Co Clare after the violent storm last weekend. “The seas were mountainous and I’m sure there were more in the masses of kelp washed up on the shore,” he said.
The Irish Specimen Fish Committee (ISFC) is requesting anglers to submit specimen claims before November 30th in order for them to be ratified and included in the 2009 annual report. Claim forms should be sent to ISFC, Swords Business Campus, Balheary Road, Swords, Co Dublin.
Three stalwarts attached to the Central Fisheries Board (CFB) have died recently. Dr Michael Kennedy (October 4th) was the first general manager of Inland Fisheries Trust (IFT), later to become CFB in 1951, and much of his professional life was spent working as a fisheries biologist. He co-founded the Irish Specimen Fish Committee with Dr Arthur Went in 1954 and began the world-renowned CFB Marine Sport Fish Tagging Programme.
Sean McMorrow (October 29th) was secretary of IFT and later played a key role in the CFB. McMorrow was one of the best and most level-headed people in dealing with every situation during the tough times from the 1950s to the late 1980s, according to his life-long friend, Danny Goldrick.
Hugh Gough (November 9th) was formerly coarse angling officer with CFB. His book ‘Coarse Fishing in Ireland’ was a bestseller in 1989, analysing the country region by region and focusing mainly on bream fishing.
Annamoe Trout Fishery in Co Wicklow is holding a pairs team event this Saturday (November 21st). Entries to Brian Nally, 086-2598563.