Angling Council of Ireland

Biodiversity Activity Handbook - Click here for article

New online Atlas of Freshwater fish in Irish lakes

This atlas is a collaborative project between the National Biodiversity Data Centre and Inland Fisheries Ireland.

The supporting database of freshwater fish in Irish lakes was complied by IFI, with contributions from the Irish Char Conservation Group, and is available to view through Biodiversity Maps.

Click here for article

BIOSECURITY OF ANGLING WATERS

1) BOAT ANGLING
Boat angling can present one of the greatest threats to the biosecurity of angling waters. Because of the large surface that boats present and the engine, oars and associated boating equipment, the angler’s tackle and clothing, there is a great potential for alien organisms to become attached or trapped and transported to contaminate other locations. It is necessary that there is a well understood and practiced procedure to ensure that all boats and angler’s gear are sanitised and free from carrying contaminants before accessing other waters.

2) LAKE SHORE AND RIVER ANGLING
Angling from lake shore and river angling present more complex issues and will require specific procedural measures for anglers on waters declared contaminated with alien organisms, and protection measures for other angling waters.

Notification of Contamination - Signposting and Advice
Signposting of the particular contamination/alien organisms at the location and advice to anglers of the required cleansing methods for equipment, tackle and clothing.

Advisory Precautions for Lakes and Rivers
Notification of precautions to be taken by anglers to comply with Water Framework Directive and River Basin District Management Plans.

Executive members of the Angling Council of Ireland attended the Control of Aquatic Invasive Species in Ireland (CAISIE) Stakeholders Workshop in Athlone last week.

The project is concentrating its study of Key species at Lough Corrib:-

Lagarosiphon major (Curly Leaved Pondweed)

Dreissena polymorpha (Zebra Mussel)

and on Key species on the Grand Canal, Barrow Line and Navigation:-

Lagarosiphon major (Curly Leaved Pondweed)

Leuciscus leuciscus (Dace)

Hemimysis anomala (Bloody Red Shrimp)

Crangonyx pseudogracilis (Northern River Crangonyctid)

Elodea nuttallii (Nuttall’s Pondweed)

Crassula helmsii (New Zealand Pygmyweed)

Azolla filiculoides (Red Water Fern)

Dreissena polymorpha (Zebra Mussel)

Fallopia japonica (Japanese Knotweed)

Heracleum mantegazzianum (Giant Hogweed)

Impatiens glandulifera (Himalayan Balsam)

Gunnera tinctoria (Chilean Rhubarb)

Those fish which are still considered invasive species due to their recent arival or continued spread through our water courses are:

Chub

Dace

Roach

Following the workshop a number of recommendations were made including improving methods of communication, we look forward to good co-operation with the CAISIE project team and we encourage all anglers to make themselvs aware of the threats from such invasive species and to report any sightings to the project team. please view the CAISIE website for full details.

CAISIE website: Control of Aquatic Invasive Species in Ireland