Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 November 2015
268. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will commission a survey on dace stocks on the River Barrow to decipher if population of same have increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38685/15]
View answer269. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the measures in place to combat the reported increase in the dace population on the River Barrow and to prevent juvenile dace from feeding on trout eggs and damaging the natural indigenous population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38686/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 268 and 269 together.
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) completed a major fish stock survey (including dace) in the Barrow catchment (main channel and tributaries) during July and August 2015. IFI are currently processing the data collected and as soon as a report is compiled and finalised in early 2016 it will be made available to the Deputy.
I am advised by IFI that dace have been established in the River Barrow main channel and Barrow Navigation since the 1990s. Results from fishery surveys between 2003 and 2015 reveal that dace are ubiquitous in the main channel, from the lower reaches to upstream of Monasterevin, Co. Kildare. Expert advice is that there are no practical measures available to control or eradicate this species where it is already widespread and abundant. The primary approach of IFI in regard to dace is to prevent its spread outside of systems, such as the Barrow.
In addition, IFI continue to promote the importance of biosecurity to minimise the risk of spreading invasive species, including dace. This is conducted through a range of education and awareness and stakeholder engagement initiatives. As part of this programme, anglers are informed of the risks associated with transferring dace and they are advised not to move dace from the River Barrow to any other waters.
