Invasive Species Group set up on L. Erne

[niall_b73 41]

below is a press release to a very big problem on lough erne:

 

Lough Erne Invasive Species Group Established

An inter-agency strategic response to the previously unseen levels of

aquatic weed-growth on Lough Erne has been initiated. Called the Lough

Erne Invasive Species Group (LEISG) the group is a sub-group of the

Lough Erne Management Consultative Committee which is facilitated by

Fermanagh District Council. Members of the group include Northern

Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), Waterways Ireland, Department of

Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) Inland Fisheries, Destination Fermanagh

and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

A specific threat has been identified in an invasive weed first identified in

Lough Erne a number of years ago but which spread dramatically in 2010.

Commonly called ‘Nuttall’s Pondweed’, the weed has survived the winter

period in significant quantities and the potential for further growth has

implications for recreation and tourism in Co Fermanagh for which a

multi-agency response is warranted.

The inter-agency group has gathered information about Nuttall’s

Pondweed and is developing appropriate management strategies which

will be implemented by the relevant agencies in a co-ordinated manner.

Weed-cutting and harvesting has been identified as the most appropriate

control measure available at present. In the event that intervention is

required in 2011, weed-cutting will be undertaken by Waterways Ireland

within the marked navigation channels at the appropriate time in the

growth cycle of Nuttall’s Pondweed. In addition a trial using “trailing

cutting knives†will take place in April to ascertain if this technique

increases the effectiveness of controlling this particular weed.

The focus of Waterways Ireland’s weed cutting will be primarily to keep

the main channel and then access to the public amenities open.

Waterways Ireland will also be harvesting the weed and sending it for

composting to prevent further spread.

Upper Lough Erne is a European Natura 2000 designated site and

therefore control measures must not undermine the conservation

objectives of the area.

Management of the water levels is also seen to have a role in weed

management as Nuttall’s Pondweed grows in up to 3 metres of water. The

review of water level control on the Erne system, as recommended in the

July 2010 Flooding Taskforce report, will take into account flood risk,

recreational and environmental interests. LEISG will have an opportunity

to input into the review.

 

The group is advising individuals, groups or private commercial interests

wishing to undertake weed-cutting on Lough Erne to contact NIEA directly

via the contact details at www.nidirect.gov.uk to obtain permission.

For more information on Invasive Species see

http://www.invasivespeciesireland.com.

 

nuttalls pondweed

 

now having read the above and having looked at the problem of the weed on other sites is clearly states that cutting the plant aids in its spread !! in other words any loose fragrements from the weed will quickly develop into a new plant. :wallbash:

 

below is a site stating so:

http://www.invasivespeciesscotland.org.uk/invasive_non_native_species/nuttalls_pondweed.asp

 

this is a snippet from the above site:

"As the plant spreads through fragmentation, mechanical controls should only be undertaken during mass developments and when the risk of spread to other water systems is minimal. Using mechanical controls during an ongoing invasion may promote the spread due to fragmentation."

 

now no one would love to see an end to this plant as much as me because it choke's up all the bays that would have been previously been great fishing areas for pike and other fish but are now totally inexcessable.

 

so my question is ?? are the shannon-erne waterways wasting their time but more importantly are they going to be actually helping with the spreading of this weed ??

 

lough erne is a great expance of water that suits all breeds of fish and i have to say that last year my fishing was greatly hampered by the spread of this weed. it covers complete bays of water and along the main boating channels.

it would be a shame to see this weed f*****g it up for everybody that use's the water

 

niall_b73