ANGLING NOTES:ESTIMATED damage from invasive species worldwide totals more than $1.4 trillion, or five per cent of the global economy, the Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Conor Lenihan told an audience at the launch of the European Life+ Project Control of Aquatic Invasive Species in Ireland (Caisie), in Dublin last Tuesday.
The Central Fisheries Board (CFB) has secured €1.5 million in funding from the European Community under the Life+ programme which runs from 2009 to 2013. Primary focus of the project is to control and eradicate high impact, non-native invasive species now established in Lough Corrib, the Grand Canal and Barrow Navigation.
“Invasive species represent one of the greatest threats to biodiversity worldwide, second only to direct habitat destruction,” the minister said.
Aquatic invasive species recorded in Ireland have increased significantly in the past 20 years. Those that represent the greatest threat include the fishes – chubb and dace; macroinvertebrates – zebra mussel, Chinese mitten crab and the bloody red shrimp. Riparian plants – giant hogweed, Japanese knotweed and Himalayan balsam; and aquatic plants – curly leaved waterweed, parrot’s feather, fringed water lily, water fern, Nuttall’s waterweed and New Zealand pigmyweed.
While this number is small in comparison with other European countries, the threat of new invasions is ever-present and a constant cause for concern, he said.
Achievements to date include the recruitment of a project team last year under the direction of Dr Joe Caffrey (CFB) and chaired by Dr Ciaran O’Keeffe of the National Parks and Wildlife Service. The 15-person group was established to steer the project over its four-year term and a significant amount of work has already been completed.
It is proposed to host a stakeholder forum in May 2010, by which time an action plan will be agreed and a coordinated programme will commence.
Meanwhile, biological evidence is now available which shows how native communities have been devastated in Irish waters following the unauthorised stocking of non-native fish species, according to Trevor Champ, chairman of the Irish Specimen Fish Committee (ISFC). “To persist with such irresponsible action constitutes environmental vandalism of the worst kind,” he said.
For further information on the Life+ Project, see caisie.ie
* The first salmon of the season on the River Moy was caught last Tuesday by local angler, Martin Conroy. The spring fish weighed an impressive 6.6kg and captured behind the boxes at the Ridge Pool, on worm.
A second fish of 3.1kg was caught on Thursday. Fishing on the Ridge Pool is free until the first fish is caught there. Contact: info@moyfishery.com or tel: 096-21332.
* In cold wintery conditions and with only a few rods fishing, the River Drowes in Co Leitrim produced two salmon last week. Colin Gardiner recorded a fine salmon of 4.5kg on a black Flying ‘C’ from the corner of the Blackwater, and Anthony Carty found success at the Crooked Hole with a 4kg liced fish also on a Flying ‘C’. For bookings see drowessalmonfishery.com, or tel: 071-984 1055.
* Leinster took top honours in the Trout Angling Federation of Ireland (TAFI) Junior Fly Tying Championship last Saturday week. The individual winner was Seán Cassidy with Seán Dempsey and Fergal McKiernan in second and third placing, respectively.
Special thanks are extended to Cornamona Angling Club for hosting the event and sponsors Irish Angler Magazine and Pat Nolan.
* Eugene McCabe from Newbridge District Anglers’ Club is the 2010 Kingspan National Pike Champion. McCabe from Kildare town emerged a clear winner following a keenly fought contest on the River Suck with eight pike weighing 15.6kg.
Jimmy Thompson from Dublin took runner-up position with two fish for 13.4kg. In the last five minutes of the competition, Thompson caught a good fish of 10.2kg. In total, 141 pike were landed and returned.
* The first trial for the Irish Ladies Fly Fishing Association will be held on Lough Lene, Collinstown, Co Westmeath on Saturday, March 27th, fishing 11am-5pm. Ladies wishing to take part should contact Julie Gerry jmgerry@gmail.com. Entry forms available at irishladiesflyfishing.com
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