Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 February 2010
204 Deputy Mary Alexandra White asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps he is taking to combat invasive species on rivers such as the Barrow, the Nore and the Slaney; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8437/10]
View answerUnder the Fisheries Acts, primary responsibility for the management, conservation, protection and development of the inland fisheries resource is the responsibility of the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards. The Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, has responsibility for the enactment of legislation to control the ecological impact of invasive species on freshwater ecology and native species under the Wildlife Acts 1976–2000. I understand that the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, through the National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS), is currently considering proposals for the enactment of legislation in this area.
The Central and Regional Fisheries Boards are working in coordination with other State agencies, such as the NPWS, and stakeholders to address the issues associated with invasive species in Ireland. This will include the development of a process for the rapid identification and reaction to reported incidences of invasive species.
The CFB are currently the lead partner in a LIFE+ project (EU/NPWS funded), which focuses its efforts on the control of an aggressive South African weed (the curly leaved waterweed) in one of our great western lakes, Lough Corrib, and on a variety of high impact invasive species in the Grand Canal and River Barrow Navigation. This project, therefore, will act as a demonstration project that will develop species control and management initiatives, codes of best practice, stakeholder engagement opportunities and significant capacity building arrangements. It is anticipated that these will have broad application throughout Ireland and Europe.
The Boards are also working on raising awareness amongst water users about the spread of invasive species, how they can be prevented and the mitigating measures that can be taken, for example, by anglers when moving boats and gear from one river catchment to another.
