Easily the greatest threat in modern times to the possible destruction of the Great Western Lakes is the invasion of zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) and African weed (Lagarosiphon major). Together, these two deadly infestations have the potential to do irretrievable damage.
Last February, the Western Regional Zebra Mussel Control Initiative (WRZMCI) identified boat movement as the main factor in the spread of zebra mussel. The group focused on preventing boats trailering from infected waters launching in the western lakes and requested local garages with steam-cleaning facilities to provide a decontamination service for boats.
With funding from Galway County Council and the Heritage Council, 50 signs to highlight the problem were erected around the lakes last year. These are now being replaced with larger, more eye-catching signs. Prof Michael Hynes of Galway University said that, hopefully, we are still free of zebra mussel, although we won't really know until June when they spawn and when tests will reveal if larvae are present.
On African weed, Hynes believes this is now a "really major threat" to Corrib. The situation in Rinneroon Bay is "truly frightening". Last season the weed invaded 26 acres of water in the bay. And there are other sightings.
"I personally identified infestation in Schoolhouse Bay late last summer," Hynes said.
As part of an education campaign to protect the Great Western Lakes and others from the threat of zebra mussel, WRZMCI is organising a one-day seminar entitled Zebra Mussels and Other Alien Invaders in Claregalway Hotel, Claregalway, Co Galway, on Thursday, March 9th. Registration begins at 8.30am and the entry fee of €20 includes lunch.
International and national experts will provide presentations on zebra mussels, lessons from the US on aquatic species, legislation, non-native freshwater plants and the socio- economic importance of inland waterways in Ireland. To book a place at the seminar or to obtain a registration form, contact Brid Costello at 091-509229 or bcostello@galwaycoco.ie.
• In answer to questions tabled in the House of Lords and House of Commons, the British government has confirmed that it "regularly impresses upon the Irish Government the need to take steps to reduce and eventually eliminate the impact of Irish drift net fishery on UK salmon stocks", according to Niall Greene of Stop Salmon Drift Nets Now (SSDDN) campaign.
The question was tabled by Lord Maginnis in the Lords and by Desmond Swayne MP and Hywel Williams MP in the Commons.
In reply, Lord Bach, the under-secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, said that Ben Bradshaw, the minister for fisheries, had discussed the issue with the Irish Minister for the Marine "on a number of occasions" and had "urged the Minister to take steps to reduce the impact of the salmon drift net fishery on salmon returning to English and Welsh rivers".
This contradicts a statement issued by the Department of Marine to RTÉ's Five Seven Live programme, which asserted that "no EU government has to date raised this issue with the Irish Government", according to SSDDN.
• A three-day retirement course for fisheries staff took place recently in the Ardilaun House Hotel, Galway, where a number of experts addressed a wide range of subjects relating to a positive approach to retirement.
The attendance included mostly senior staff that first joined the fisheries service back in the early 1960s, in the days of the Inland Fisheries Trust (IFT), which was described as "a small but effective body which received the admiration of every right-thinking angler and fisheries conservationist nationwide" by Danny Goldrick, a retiree at the seminar. The course was organised by Central Fisheries Board human resources employees Mary O'Reilly, Dympna Jennings and Ciara Nic Craith.
• The RNLI rescue statistics for Ireland show that volunteer lifeboat crews rescued 1,161 people last year, an average of 22 people each week. The busiest stations were Kilmore Quay with 59 launches and Dún Laoghaire with 51, while Howth and Aran Island lifeboat crews rescued 84 and 71 respectively. RNLI divisional inspector Colin Williams paid tribute to crews and volunteers.
"Without their support we could not save lives at sea, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year round," he said.
• The River Drowes in Co Donegal rose by 20cm last week, thanks to heavy showers, and a good number of salmon entered the fishery on the spring tides. Two experienced anglers said they had never seen so many salmon, according to Lindsey Clarke of the Northern Fisheries Board. While most of the salmon opted for shrimp and Flying C from the Red Roof Pool, New Bridge and Bridge Pool, Barry Smyth and Edward Kerr each landed a good fish from Lennox Bridge and Otter Pool on the fly.