Minister Conor Lenihan launches the European Life+ Project Control of Aquatic Invasive Species in Ireland (CAISIE)
The Central Fisheries Board secured €1.5 million in funding from the European Community (EC) under the Life + programme to control and eradicate invasive species in Lough Corrib, The Grand Canal and in the Barrow Navigation Line. Minister Conor Lenihan formally launched the Life + project Control of Aquatic Invasive Species in Ireland (CAISIE) at the European Commission Office in Dublin today (23/02/10).
Aquatic invasive species are a major threat to biodiversity in Irish freshwaters and their adverse effect will continue to increase unless effective eradication and control methods are developed. CAISIE will focus on researching and implementing control and eradication methods, a marketing campaign to increase awareness and stakeholder engagement.
Minister Conor Lenihan affirmed “This is a matter of considerable importance to the Inland fisheries resource and this project, funded by the EU, brings together a number of State bodies to work together in the control of aquatic invasive species in Ireland.”
For further information on the Life + CAISE project please log onto www.caisie.ie
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Email: linda.mckenny@cfb.ie
Notes to Editor:
The Life+ Control of Aquatic Invasive Species in Ireland (CAISIE) project is co-financed by the National Parks and Wild Life Service.
Invasive species are plants and animals that have been introduced from outside their natural habitats and are non-native to an area. They can take over the habitat of native Irish species very quickly, resulting in the decline or elimination of these native species. They can cause economic and environmental harm and may even adversely affect human health.
The Central Fisheries Board (CFB) is a statutory body operating under the aegis of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and was established under the Fisheries Act 1980.
Its principal functions are to advise the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources on policy relating to the conservation, protection, management, development and improvement of inland fisheries and sea angling, to co-ordinate and provide specialist and support services to the Regional Fisheries Boards, and to advise the Minister on the performance by the Regional Fisheries Boards of their functions.
The seven Regional Fisheries Boards have primary responsibility for fisheries management in their Regions. The role of the Regional Fisheries Boards is to conserve, protect, develop manage and promote inland fisheries. The Boards are also responsible for developing and promoting sea angling and protecting molluscs
Under the rationalisation of state agencies outlined in Budget 2009, The Central and Regional Fisheries Boards will be merged to form Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) in early 2010.
