The issue of alien invasive species (AIS), including quagga mussels, and their broad ecological impacts, is a matter within the statutory remit of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).
In that context, the focus of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is defined around impacts on the fisheries resource for which they have responsibility.
While actions in this regard are operational matters in which neither I nor my Department have any function, IFI is vigilant and proactive in alerting the public to the potential threats to fisheries from the spread of non-native aquatic species, particularly from the Shannon catchment, where quagga mussels were first discovered, to other water bodies including the Corrib. A public alert was issued by IFI on Thursday 6 April advising biosecurity disinfection of angling equipment and vessels and avoiding the movement of leisure craft generally from one water body to another.
IFI are also represented, from a fishery perspective, among a range of bodies, on the National AIS group coordinated by Biodiversity Ireland. The latest information on quagga mussels from that organisation is available on the following link: invasives.ie/species-alerts/quagga-mussel/.
IFI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that queries can be addressed promptly, in line with IFI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@fisheriesireland.ie.
