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Quagga Mussel on Shannon Among 128 Local Biodiversity Action Fund Projects

23rd September 2022
Quagga mussels discovered in Ireland as reported by scientists
Quagga mussels discovered in Ireland as reported by scientists Credit: Jan-Robert Baars

A project involving nine local authorities to tackle the invasive Quagga mussel in the river Shannon is one of 128 initiatives approved for over €1.4 million in funding through the Local Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF).

A feasibility study of the potential for wetland restoration at Galway’s Ballyloughane beach has also been approved as part of the tranche of projects in support of the National Biodiversity Action Plan.

The Quagga mussel, a high-impact aquatic invasive alien species, was discovered in the Shannon in 2021, and the approved project aims to address several “key knowledge gaps”.

Scientists say the Quagga mussel will outcompete the Zebra mussel, and establish higher biomass even on soft sediments to a depth far beyond 34m.

This could affect the filtering rates of lake and river water and threaten the provision of water as it will affect abstraction, they say.

Since it was launched in 2018, a total of almost €4m has been granted to local authorities through the LBAF to carry out projects in support of the National Biodiversity Action Plan 2017-2021 (NBAP).

Minister of State for Heritage Malcolm Noonan said the 128 projects funded across all 31 local authorities will have a “real, tangible impact for nature and couldn’t come at a more crucial time”.

He said that all 31 local authorities applied for and will receive funding this year, with a total of 128 projects approved, covering a range of biodiversity-related activities, including invasive alien species control, dune restoration, wetland surveys and biodiversity awareness and training.

Other projects approved include a Mayo wetland county survey, and wetland restoration in Fingal County Council.

The public consultation for Ireland’s new 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan was initiated on September 1st and closes on November 9th.

Submissions are invited here

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Marine Wildlife Around Ireland One of the greatest memories of any day spent boating around the Irish coast is an encounter with marine wildlife.  It's a thrill for young and old to witness seabirds, seals, dolphins and whales right there in their own habitat. As boaters fortunate enough to have experienced it will testify even spotting a distant dorsal fin can be the highlight of any day afloat.  Was that a porpoise? Was it a whale? No matter how brief the glimpse it's a privilege to share the seas with Irish marine wildlife.

Thanks to the location of our beautiful little island, perched in the North Atlantic Ocean there appears to be no shortage of marine life to observe.

From whales to dolphins, seals, sharks and other ocean animals this page documents the most interesting accounts of marine wildlife around our shores. We're keen to receive your observations, your photos, links and youtube clips.

Boaters have a unique perspective and all those who go afloat, from inshore kayaking to offshore yacht racing that what they encounter can be of real value to specialist organisations such as the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) who compile a list of sightings and strandings. The IWDG knowledge base has increased over the past 21 years thanks in part at least to the observations of sailors, anglers, kayakers and boaters.

Thanks to the IWDG work we now know we share the seas with dozens of species who also call Ireland home. Here's the current list: Atlantic white-sided dolphin, beluga whale, blue whale, bottlenose dolphin, common dolphin, Cuvier's beaked whale, false killer whale, fin whale, Gervais' beaked whale, harbour porpoise, humpback whale, killer whale, minke whale, northern bottlenose whale, northern right whale, pilot whale, pygmy sperm whale, Risso's dolphin, sei whale, Sowerby's beaked whale, sperm whale, striped dolphin, True's beaked whale and white-beaked dolphin.

But as impressive as the species list is the IWDG believe there are still gaps in our knowledge. Next time you are out on the ocean waves keep a sharp look out!