Statement of Agency Meeting, Asian Clam, Lanesboro. Friday 19th September.
Statement of Agency Meeting, Asian Clam, Lanesboro. Friday 19th September.
Inland Fisheries Ireland are working closely with all the relevant agencies, NPWS, Waterways Ireland, ESB, Bord Na Mona, OPW, Roscommon and Longford County Councils and the local community and angling groups to put immediate measures in place to re-open the Lanesboro fishery to angling.
Disinfection stations will be provided by Inland Fisheries Ireland, funded by the ESB, and managed within the local community over the next two weeks. This will, combined with a responsible attitude by all water users, facilitate the resumption of angling activity in the community.
The agencies unanimously agreed that a detailed scientific survey will be carried out within the next 7-10 days. This will accumulate quantitative data and the extent of the distribution of this invasive species to augment the knowledge from the preliminary assessments.
There was an immediate commitment by the agencies to contribute to this survey cost and operational requirements.
The outcome of this detailed survey will inform decisions on the collaborative actions required for the medium and long term interventions and strategies.
Continued awareness and responsible behaviour by all water users is paramount to ensuring the work of the agencies involved has the best chance for success and the prevention of any further spread.
In that regards all of the agencies appeal to the respective stakeholders to continue to observe bio-security measures, seek advice on any planned activity and assist in the efforts to manage a very difficult situation.
An earlier meeting of the wider stakeholder groups was facilitated by IFI at the request of the local community group and the agencies commitment to work together was outlined at that stage.
Inland Fisheries Ireland would also like to advise water users that they can report a sighting of any invasive species to the 24 hour hotline on 1890 34 74 24.
...ENDS...
Contact:
Suzanne Campion,
Head of Business Development,
Inland Fisheries Ireland
Tel: 087-2690183
Email: suzanne.campion@fisheriesireland.ie
Notes to Editor
About Inland Fisheries Ireland:
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 will promote, support, facilitate and advise the Minister on, the conservation, protection, management, development and improvement of inland fisheries, including sea angling and develop and advise the Minister on policy and national strategies relating to inland fisheries and sea angling.
