In less than three years some of the once great fishing bays of Lough Corrib have been rendered impassible by an invasive plant species, according to a Central Fisheries Board scientist who is calling for immediate action to control its “ferocious” spread before it gets into the River Shannon and costs the state millions by severely disrupting water-based tourism.
The existence of the Curly Leaved Pondweed, a plant native to South Africa, was first discovered in Lough Corrib in 2005 by Dr Joe Caffrey. Speaking to Galway First, Dr Caffrey said that before this the plant had not been encountered in natural waters and in just one bay there was in the region of 1,700 tonnes of the weed; two years later it had grown by another 1,000 tonnes. In 2005, there were nine bays taken over by this weed. By 2006, this number grew to 24 bays and the following year it was in 64 bays. Dr Caffrey said that “already this year there are more than 100 bays that are effected”.
“It was brought into the country by the horticulture industry who sold to the public for use in ornamental ponds... It has now spread to many bays in the upper lake and is growing at a rapid rate stopping boats and anglers being able to enter. Some of the best bays for fishing are now out of bounds. This could have serious tourist implications.
“Ecologically, the big buzz is on biodiversity, the maintaining of natural species. There are parts where the weed grows so densely that it excludes light from getting to the natural species. In bays where there was once 10 to 12 species of plants there are now none.
“There are two fears, one that all the bays in Lough Corrib will become overgrown impacting on the ecological and recreational potential of the lake, and two, that the plant gets out and into the River Shannon and other great lakes. At the moment it’s only in Lough Corrib but it’s growing vigourously in natural waters... God forbid if it got into the River Shannon, it would have the capacity to stop navigation of it all together. Water-based tourism is a major money maker for this country.
The Central Fisheries Board have recently secured a total of €1.5 million in European funding to protect Lough Corrib from invasive plant species, however, Dr Caffrey said that although the money is welcome “it is paltry”.
“The reason for the funding is to conduct serious scientific studies to develop methods to control the plant. People think €1.5 million sounds a lot but it’s spread over four years and it’s not solely destined for this plant in Lough Corrib. Realistically it’s only €200,000 a year which is not enough. Now is the time to spend the money before it’s completely out of control,” he said.
However the fight back against the weed has began as funding has been granted by the EU Life and Biodiversity Programme to help rid Lough Corrib of deadly alien invasive species.
Under the programme a total of 143 projects throughout the EU have been granted Euro 367 million.
“I have seen many presentations on invasive species in Lough Corrib, in particular Lagarosiphon Major which is an ornamental pond weed that spreads rapidly and destroys our native vegetation”, stated Cllr Niall O Brolchain
“I am delighted to see that the Minister was as good as his word and has helped to push this issue through for EU funding”.
