Statement re Asian Clam survey at Lanesborough
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has published its report on the Asian Clam survey at Lanesborough, Co. Longford, and the surrounding area.
The relevant agencies, including the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS), Waterways Ireland, ESB, Bord Na Mona, OPW, Roscommon and Longford County Councils, and local community and angling groups, have been briefed, and recommendations and management actions will be considered over the coming weeks.
An enormous amount of work has taken place over a short period of time. It is clear from the findings of the survey that the population of Asian Clam has already reached a stage where complete removal is not feasible.
IFI expects disinfection kits to be commissioned in the coming week. Fishing will resume thereafter, but anglers are reminded that fishing will remain closed until an announcement from Inland Fisheries Ireland.
About Asian Clam
Asian Clam present a real threat to fish stocks and have the ability to become highly invasive in a short period of time. At high densities, it can alter the food web and compete with native mussel species. Asian clam are known to aggressively out-compete native invertebrate communities, limit phytoplankton biomass, biofoul water intakes, alter benthic habitats, add biologically available nitrogen and phosphorus to systems, and impact aesthetic and recreational values of public beaches, lake front properties and swimming areas. Their high rates of filtration, metabolism, reproduction, tolerance to wide ranges of habitats, and juvenile dispersal allows Asian clam to aggressively expand ranges and to rapidly re‐invade areas; limiting management, reducing restoration efforts and impacting native benthic communities.
