Major International Freshwater Invasives – Networking for Strategy Conference

Press Release 08/04/13

Major International Freshwater Invasives – Networking for Strategy Conference – Galway April 8th to 11th.

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) and the European Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Advisory Commission (EIFAAC) are hosting a major international conference to address key topics relating to freshwater invasive species and harmful aquatic pathogens, both in Ireland and abroad. These include policy, management, biosecurity and economic issues. The conference will be staged in the Galway Bay Hotel, Salthill, from 8th to 11th April 2013.

Invasive species pose a significant threat to native biodiversity in Europe, as well as to our economy and health. They cause some €12.5 billion worth of damage each year in the European Union alone and the annual cost of invasive species to the UK economy is estimated at €2.3 billion. Recent figures reveal that the estimated annual cost of invasive species to the economies of Ireland and Northern Ireland combined is €262 million.

Freshwater invasive species represent a growing threat to the island of Ireland and their prevalence and impact is becoming increasingly apparent. These non-native species can cause appreciable damage to natural aquatic and riparian environments, indigenous biota as well as to the local and national economy. As a small country on the western edge of Europe, Ireland has experienced fewer invasions than many countries on the mainland. However, those aquatic invaders that have established have managed to wreak serious environmental, social and economic damage.  Additionally, the rate at which new high priority aquatic invasive species are accessing Ireland has increased in recent years, necessitating urgent and robust intervention.

On Tuesday 9th April the conference will be addressed by 12 invited speakers, all experts in their own field. These include invasive species specialists from as far afield as New Zealand, Canada and Kenya. The Wednesday (10th ) and Thursday (11th) sessions will be devoted to workshops where delegates, under the guidance of the guest speakers, will discuss key issues relating to invasive species with a view to producing documents that will inform policy development in Ireland and in Europe. On Thursday afternoon the delegates will be brought onto Lough Corrib to view some of the successful, practical control work that has been conducted on the aggressive invasive species Lagarosiphon major on the lake.

Addressing delegates at the conference launch Minister O Dowd stated “I am delighted  to open this major international event and to welcome the distinguished speakers and delegates who have travelled from as far afield as New Zealand, Kenya, Canada and throughout Europe. I also wish you all well with your important deliberations on safeguarding our natural resources from these insidious and hazardous non-native organisms and trust that you will develop guidelines or recommendations that may have an influence on pending invasive species legislation from Europe.”

... Ends...

Media enquiries

Suzanne Campion
Head of Business Development, Inland Fisheries Ireland,
Anglesea Street, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.
Tel: 052 6180055 Fax: 052 6123971
Email: suzanne.campion@fisheriesireland.ie Website: www.fisheriesireland.ie

Notes to the Editor

Inland Fisheries Ireland is a statutory body operating under the aegis of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and was established under the Fisheries Act on 1st July 2010. Its principal function is the protection and conservation of the inland fisheries resource. IFI promotes, supports, facilitates and advises the Minister on, the conservation, protection, management, development and improvement of inland fisheries, including sea angling. It also develops and advises the Minister on policy and national strategies relating to inland fisheries and sea angling. www.fisheriesireland.ie