#MarineWildlife - In response to a recent outbreak of crayfish plague in the River Suir and River Deel, emergency disease containment measures are needed to help prevent its spread.

Crayfish plague is a disease that kills Ireland’s native white-clawed crayfish. All crayfish that become infected will die.

The disease is easily transmitted in water or via contaminated equipment (for example on canoes, waders or nets).

Ireland holds the largest population of the white-clawed crayfish that remains in Europe.

To help protect our native crayfish from this disease, all water users are asked to operate a temporary ban on moving watersports and angling equipment out of the River Suir and River Deel catchments, commencing immediately.

Watersports and angling equipment currently in use in the Suir and Deel catchments may continue to be used there, but boats or equipment should not be transferred out of the catchment.

Limit your activity to the river section where you normally operate, avoid moving around the catchment and follow biosecurity protocols: Inspect, Remove, Clean, Dispose, Notify.

The Inland Fisheries Ireland website has more information for anglers, boaters, paddle sports enthusiasts and SCUBA divers.