Weed control in the Corrib

Interesting, and not a little alarming.

Funny to see the 'big-wigs' from the Western Fisheries Board actually kitted out as though intending to actually do something!!! (Must have been a 'photo opportunity'...).

Most often the only thing done on Corrib - or any other of the Western Lakes is the barbaric practise of gill-netting for Pike...predators are a 'must' for any balanced environment. They might look at expending their energies at reducing the bloody Mink population there!!!

I recall a few years back in England some waterways were getting chocked by the 'introduction' of Water Hyacinth and another menace, here too, is the Canadian Pondweed (Elodea). We all have much to answer for with the introduction of non-native species. Two years ago the Shannon Authority suddenly discovered that there were Chub in the River Inny and moved heaven and hell to electro-fish them all out, saying they were a danger to the indigenous fish Coarse Fish species. We tried explaining that just about all the Coarse Fish here were introduced at some point in time, with Roach,Dace and Carp being the last three (unless you count the illegally-stocked Wels Catfish (but that's another story).
Mark my words, in years to come every waterway will be inflicted with the blight of them, especially Roach but more so Carp (Dace won't spread quite so universally being essentially a fast-water species).
The country-wide stocking of Carp in England has resulted in fisheries becoming totally devoid of other fish - the same is likely to happen here too...but mercifully not in my lifetime. The Aussies became aware of the threat they posed and brought in a law which required every Carp caught be killed immediately (probably shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted, but still - they were making the effort!).
Then we have the Zebra Mussels, Signal Crayfish and the strangely-named Bloody Red Shrimp...and there's probably more we don't know of, I cannot believe some reptiles haven't found their way to freedom - although St Patrick is supposed to have cursed the Snakes...
Sorry, I've started to 'Rant' - off the soapbox.
Yes, Zig's right though, we all owe the Heritage of this country a pledge to not let anything free which will adversely affect the 'Balance of Nature' - even though we are perhaps too late already.

John