As Loughs Agency marks Invasive Species Week, the pressing need for heightened awareness and collaborative efforts to mitigate the impact of these species becomes increasingly evident. Invasive non-native species pose a major threat to the delicate balance of the ecosystems in the Foyle and Carlingford catchment areas.

Over the last fifty years, human activity has led to a sharp increase in global travel, resulting in more opportunities for plants and animals to be moved across the world. Additionally, climate change is expected to influence species distributions by affecting potential species ranges.

Characterised by its yellowish/brown shell with distinctive ridges, the Asian Clam is a freshwater bivalve which impacts on our native aquatic systems as a result of its rapid rates of reproduction and its filter feeding activity. Asian clam disrupts native ecosystems, displacing native filter feeding species like the critically endangered freshwater pearl mussel.

There are multiple pathways through which a potential invasive species can be introduced into a new environment, with introductions being accidental or deliberate. The consequences of these introductions are often unpredictable, and the impacts of INNS on native habitats can be complex and devastating, leading to ecological changes, economic losses, and social impacts.

Japanese Knotweed: Originally introduced as an ornamental plant, Japanese Knotweed now infests various habitats, including riverbanks, choking out native species and exacerbating soil erosion

Aquatic habitats are particularly at risk from invasive species, as water provides ample opportunity for species to disperse through interconnected aquatic systems. Aquatic INNS tend to be well adapted to spread naturally in aquatic systems, and human activities such as recreational and commercial use of water also aid in the dispersal of aquatic INNS.

Himalayan Balsam's uncontrolled growth presents a significant ecological hazard. Its tendency to outcompete native plants and spread seeds downstream exacerbates erosion and disrupts river ecosystems.

The recognition of these issues during Invasive Species Week serves as a reminder of the urgent need for collaborative efforts to address this growing concern and protect our native habitats from the impacts of INNS.

Several invasive species have established a foothold in the Foyle and Carlingford catchment areas, increasing the need for proactive measures. Notable among these are:

Asian Clam: Characterised by its yellowish/brown shell with distinctive ridges, the Asian Clam is a freshwater bivalve which impacts on our native aquatic systems as a result of its rapid rates of reproduction and its filter feeding activity. Asian clam disrupts native ecosystems, displacing native filter feeding species like the critically endangered freshwater pearl mussel.

Giant Hogweed: Giant Hogweed sap contains agents that cause severe skin inflammation when exposed to sunlight. This raises concerns for both public safety and the integrity of ecosystems.

Himalayan Balsam: Himalayan Balsam's uncontrolled growth presents a significant ecological hazard. Its tendency to outcompete native plants and spread seeds downstream exacerbates erosion and disrupts river ecosystems.

Japanese Knotweed: Originally introduced as an ornamental plant, Japanese Knotweed now infests various habitats, including riverbanks, choking out native species and exacerbating soil erosion.

Pink Salmon: Pink Salmon threaten indigenous salmon populations through competition for resources and transmission of parasites.

In response to the threat of INNS, Loughs Agency urges public vigilance and proactive engagement. If encountered, individuals are encouraged to record sightings, refrain from disturbing the species, and promptly report findings to the Agency.

Sharon McMahon, Loughs Agency Chief Executive, said: “Invasive species continue to arrive and threaten our wildlife and ecosystems, so it is imperative that preventative actions are taken to avoid further spread and introductions.

“Through a shared commitment to awareness and collaboration, we can ensure the protection of our freshwater ecosystems for future generations."

Further information on what Loughs Agency is doing to combat invasive species can be found at loughs-agency.org.

A Co Louth oyster company has invested €535,000 in an upgrade with the support of a €142,000 grant under the Brexit Sustainable Aquaculture Growth Scheme.

The award-winning Carlingford Oyster Company, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, is producing 2,500 tonnes annually – the equivalent of 2.5 million oysters – and hopes to increase European exports.

The aquaculture growth scheme is funded by the EU under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve and administered by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM).

Carlingford Oyster Company was founded by Dutchman Peter Louët Feisser, who sailed into Carlingford Lough on a wooden yacht with his wife Anne in the late 1960s. The visit was intended to be short, part of an epic journey around the world.

Mesmerised by the lough’s natural beauty, the couple fell in love with the area - and didn’t go home.

Some of the delicious harvest from Carlingford Oyster Company in Co Louth

Louët Feisser had been incarcerated in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp when his family lived in the then Dutch colony of Indonesia during the second world war. The Japanese military had taken over the colony in 1942 and put Dutch nationals in internment facilities.

After spending a few years in Co Louth, he heard by chance an item on BBC Radio 4 about oyster growing. He was enthralled, and in 1974 the Carlingford Oyster Company was born.

Now aged 86 and officially retired Peter can still be found working in the lough at low tide with his son Kian who today runs the multiple award-winning family business with his wife Mary.

According to Kian the recent investment has seen significant improvements and efficiencies at the company.

“Oyster farming is very labour intensive and the investment was designed to make the company more competitive, and to secure the livelihoods of our team and my family,”he says.

“The premises were built in 1992 and it was a big open space and we really needed to upgrade,”he adds.

“The work included extending our production facility, adding equipment to help us segregate and grade oysters and improvements in the dispatch areas. Modernising our working environment has supported us meeting the evolving requirements of food safety inspections, and the expectations of our customers when visiting our premises,”he says.

The company added new depuration tanks with cutting edge water skimming technology; a forklift, a pallet truck, a new water grader and floating oyster growing bags.

At its peak last summer the business employed 30 local people. Britain represents about 60% of total sales with approximately 20% of sales in Ireland. The company is currently focusing on sales in mainland Europe with support from BIM and Bord Bia.

It takes over three years for Carlingford Oysters to reach maturity.

“They are rich in protein and low in fat with exceptionally high levels of trace elements such as iodine, iron, selenium copper and zinc,”Kian Louët Feisser says.

“Taking advantage of the perfect growing conditions available in the lough, Carlingford Oysters are as natural and pure as food can be.”

Carlingford Oyster Company was one of the first farms to grow gigas oysters, the frilly Pacific variety that is now well-loved across Ireland, but was rather novel at the time.

In recent years a visitor experience with farm tours and oyster master classes was added, all part of a plan to improve the customer experience and to give people an incentive to come and visit and taste the product.

Last month, Carlingford Oyster Company hosted 15 London-based Michelin Star chefs on a trip organised by Bethnal Green Fish Supplies and supported by Boyne Valley Flavours, Sea Louth Seafood Trail and local restaurants.

“Without the support of BIM and the Brexit funding we would not have been able to achieve all we have under this investment, and we are very grateful. The future is certainly looking bright,”Kian Louët Feisser says.

A man in his 40s has died in hospital after an incident involving a jet ski in Carlingford Lough on Monday evening (22 May), as RTÉ News reports.

The man and a woman were recovered from the water following reports of two people in difficulty in the water off the Co Louth town early on Monday evening.

While the woman remains hospitalised in a serious but stable condition as of Tuesday night (23 May), the man was pronounced dead on Tuesday afternoon.

RTÉ News has more on the story HERE.

A public consultation on the Loughs Agency’s angling and fisheries improvement strategy and action plans for Foyle and Carlingford has been launched.

The consultation, which will run for a period of eight weeks, will provide members of the public with the opportunity to share their thoughts on the agency’s plans for improving angling and fisheries products in these catchment areas.

Three informative, data-led documents have been drafted by the Loughs Agency, which aim to provide a baseline for how best to implement changes that will have a real and lasting impact on angling and fisheries in the coming years.

These documents are the Fisheries and Angling Improvement Strategy for Foyle and Carlingford 2022-2030; Angling Action Plan for Foyle and Carlingford 2022-2030; and Fisheries Improvement Action Plan for Foyle and Carlingford 2022-2030.

A stakeholder consultation process was held in late 2022, which provided angling clubs and members of the angling community with an early chance to have their say. This feedback has since been incorporated into the latest drafts.

Loughs Agency will be holding a series of information sessions throughout the catchment areas in April. Agency staff will be present at these to answer questions on the documents, while also assisting with the feedback process. The sessions will take place as follows:

• Loughs Agency HQ, Prehen, Monday 17 April from 6pm-9pm
• Mellon Country Inn, Omagh, Tuesday 18 April from 6pm-9pm
• Jackson’s Hotel, Ballybofey, Monday 24 April from 6pm-9pm
• Canal Court Hotel, Newry, Tuesday 25 April from 6pm-9pm

Alternatively, those interested in having their say on these strategy documents can do so in their own time by completing the survey which can be found on Loughs Agency’s website.

Sharon McMahon, Loughs Agency chief executive said: “This public consultation will allow us to ensure all views are taken into consideration as we aim to deliver an outcome-orientated approach to fisheries and angling improvement.

“The feedback obtained from this process will help in the development of a clear strategic pathway, ensuring that these resources are improved for all.

“I would like to thank the agency staff who have contributed to developing these documents with a focus on knowledge, stewardship and sustainability. This work will help in the delivery of meaningful changes to fisheries and angling in Foyle and Carlingford.”

The draft documents as well as a link to the survey can also be found on the Consultations section of the Loughs Agency website.

Loughs Agency’s 'Water Warriors' events took place this week in the Foyle and Carlingford catchment areas.

The events, which form part of the Agency’s Foyle & Carlingford Ambassador Programmes, attracted hundreds of post-primary pupils to partake in a 'fully immersive' educational experience, emphasising learning about the importance of conserving and protecting our natural environments and aquatic life.

Angela Dobbins, Deputy Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, also visited the Foyle event.

Approximately 600 attended the Foyle event on 22^nd November at the Millennium Forum, Derry, with pupils attending from the following schools:

• Foyle College, Derry
• St Joseph’s Boys’ School, Derry
• Thornhill College, Derry
• Oakgrove Integrated College, Derry
• St Columb’s College, Derry
• Gaelcholáiste Doire
• St Cecilia’s College, Derry
• Ardnashee School, Derry
• Strabane Academy
• Knockavoe School, Strabane
• Omagh Academy
• Drumragh Integrated College, Omagh
• Carndonagh Community School
• Limavady High School
• Dean Maguirc College, Carrickmore

On the last Saturday in August, it was the turn of the Juniors of Carlingford Lough Yacht Club to race in their own regatta, along with visitors from across the Lough at Carlingford Sailing Club.

Carlingford Lough YC is situated on the north shore of the Lough at Killowen in Co Down at the foot of the Mourne Mountains and CSC is in Carlingford town on the south side in County Louth with a backdrop of Slieve Foye.

Conditions were kind to the 15 strong fleet with sunshine.

The top three in the prize list of the Junior fleet were all ILCA 6s, with first David Fegan, second Maya O’Neill and third Fiachra McCormick. In the Novice division, it was Jack Ives first and Emma Gibbons second in Toppers.

Carlingford Lough competitors racing

Results are below

A group of 16 young people came together last month for a five-day programme exploring the natural resources of the Carlingford catchment.

The Loughs Agency’s Carlingford Ambassador programme aims to connect young people to the waterways in their local area through discovering, conserving and protecting native flora and fauna.

The young people, who are residents from all over the catchment, gathered on the first day and immediately gelled together after a morning of icebreakers.

Through presentations and conversations, they learned about the role of the Loughs Agency and its importance in the protection and conservation of local ecosystems and biodiversity.

Camlough Lake in Co Armagh was the destination for day two. For many, it was their first time holding a fishing rod. Angling coaches provided excellent tuition and valuable tips and techniques, particularly on implementing best practices for catch and release.

This was a fun and positive day with lots of fish being caught and released by all the ambassadors — an outstanding achievement and confidence boost for many.

Day three was spent among the magnificent oak trees of Fairy Glen in Rostrevor, Co Down on the banks of the Kilbroney River. Fishery inspector David Clarke and the Carlingford team demonstrated how they carry out electrofishing surveys, building awareness of the different fish species found in their local rivers.

Carlingford Ambassadors took part in a coastal clean-up along the shore of Carlingford Lough | Credit: Loughs Agency

Ambassadors had the opportunity to learn about the role of a fishery officer, with some members of the group mentioning that this interested them as a possible career path.

The remainder of the day was spent collecting and identifying invertebrate species found in local rivers and completing a citizen survey to help indicate the river’s overall water quality.

On day four, the ambassadors explored the intertidal zone of Carlingford Lough. They were amazed to discover marine life under seaweeds and rocks — from shore crabs, blennies and mussels to breadcrumb sponges, dog whelk eggs and anemones.

Ambassadors also learned how to identify marine critters and, most importantly, to gently and safely handle them, minimising disturbance and always leaving seaweeds and rocks as they were found.

After the rockpool explorations, they led a coastal clean-up collecting litter while recording what was found. Litter items consisted of aquaculture debris (rubber bands and zip ties), soft plastics, pieces of glass and much more.

On the final day, poor weather conditions meant paddleboarding had to be abandoned. Instead, the group went to SkyPark, Ireland’s largest adventure park in Carlingford, Co Louth. The ambassadors took on the challenges, overcoming considerable fears in tackling the heights, jumps and zip lines, all while cheering each other on in what marked a brilliant way to finish the week.

Throughout the programme, the Carlingford Ambassadors have embraced all the activities and challenged themselves, while also learning about their local natural environment and what they can do to help protect and conserve it, the Loughs Agency says.

Four coastal locations around the island of Ireland are in the running to be named Ireland’s best place to holiday this year, with the winner to be announced this August Bank Holiday weekend.
 
Carlingford in Co Louth on the shores of Carlingford Lough joins Achill Island in Co Mayo, Inishbofin in Co Galway and Portrush and the Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland in the list of five finalists for the Irish Times Best Place to Holiday in Ireland 2022 contest.

For more details and to find out the winner, see the Irish Times website HERE.

Clogherhead and Kilkeel RNLI were requested to launch their all-weather and inshore lifeboats this afternoon after a windsurfer was reported missing in Carlingford Lough.

The lifeboats were requested to launch just before 2pm following an initial report that a person was missing in the water off Killowen Point. The Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116 from Dublin was also tasked along with Kilkeel Coastguard and Greenore Coast Guard.

There was a Force Seven westerly wind at the time with moderate to rough seas.

Arriving on scene, Clogherhead RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat under Coxswain Declan Clinton and with four crew onboard, began a search on request from the mouth of Carlingford Lough up towards Greenore and Greencastle. During the search, Kilkeel RNLI’s inshore lifeboat crew located a sailboard.

Meanwhile, the windsurfer managed to swim safely to shore on the north side of Carlingford and subsequently alerted the emergency services that he was safe. The casualty had got into difficulty when he was knocked off his sailboard. Due to the tides in the lough at the time, the sailboard was taken away faster than the casualty could swim to it, and he made the decision to swim to shore instead. On the shore, Kilkeel Coastguard assessed the casualty to ensure he was safe and well.

Speaking following the call out, Clogherhead RNLI mechanic Padraig Rath said: ‘The windsurfer did all the right things when he found himself in difficulty and we were delighted to hear he made it to shore safely. This was a multi-agency response today and we would like to commend our colleagues in the various other agencies as well as our own volunteers for their inter-agency teamwork.

‘We would encourage windsurfers to always carry a means of calling for help and to consider wearing a personal locator beacon especially if windsurfing alone. Always tell someone else where you are going and when you are due back. Always wear a personal floatation device and never sail out further than you can swim back.’

The Loughs Agency reminds anglers of the annual close season, which prohibits angling over the winter months to help protect salmon and sea trout from disturbance when spawning.

The Foyle Area and Carlingford Area (Close Seasons for Angling) Regulations prohibit fishing for salmon and sea trout over the winter, with fishing due to resume in early 2022.

The annual close season for salmon and sea trout began last Thursday 21 October in the Foyle catchment, and starts Monday 1 November in the Carlingford catchment.

As closing dates vary slightly across the catchments, Loughs Agency encourages anglers to check season dates for each river on the Loughs Agency website and social media platforms, as well as with fishery owners to ensure they are up to date on local restrictions.

The State of the Salmon report published recently by the international lead on salmon management, the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO), highlights the worrying and continuous decline in the populations of the Atlantic salmon.

NASCO states: “It now takes about double the number of eggs to produce one adult (compared to 1990s) that will return to that same river to spawn – an indication of the multiple pressures facing the species throughout its complex life cycle.”

Lough Agency chief executive Sharon McMahon said: “The annual close season is an important time of year. Reducing disturbances on fish when they are spawning and at their most vulnerable helps protect stocks for the future.

“We recognise that angling is not the sole cause of stock decline, but by observing the close season, anglers are ‘playing their part’ in boosting the long-term resilience and sustainability of iconic fish species.”

John McCartney, director of conservation and protection at the Loughs Agency, added: “We all must take a forward-thinking approach based on the latest scientific guidance that balances responsible angling and sustainability.”

As the game fishing season ends for 2021, anglers are reminded to update their catch return and fishing effort on the Loughs Agency elicence website.

Anglers who wish to fish during the winter months are permitted to catch coarse fish such as perch, roach and bream, for which a valid coarse fishing licence is required.

During the close season, Loughs Agency fishery officers patrol riverbanks to prevent illegal fishing and protect fisheries. Anglers found fishing out of season will be prosecuted through the courts.

The Loughs Agency encourages members of the public to make direct and prompt illegal fishing reports either through the 24-hour response line at +44 28 7134 2100 or through the WaterWatch reporting tool.