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A Chub fish: Inland Fisheries Ireland are investigating the extent of the invasion Inland Fisheries Ireland

'A real and pending concern': Probe into re-appearance of invasive fish species in Shannon tributary

Chub have been spotted by Inland Fisheries Ireland in the River Inny.

INLAND FISHERIES IRELAND has said it is investigating the re-appearance of the invasive fish species Chub along the River Inny in Co Longford.

The state agency has expressed concerns that the re-appearance of the fish presents a “real and pending concern” to the biodiversity of the Shannon, which the Inny flows into. 

It says that Chub have the potential to compete with native Irish fish for food and space and that they are potentially a carrier of diseases and parasites.

“IFI is investigating the extent of the invasion and assessing strategies for eradication and control,” a statement said.

“The threat of Chub spreading through the Shannon system is of real and pending concern to the biodiversity of Ireland’s biggest catchment.”

The agency confirmed the presence of the fish after a Chub was caught at a location identified by IFI staff, who had recorded potential sightings at several locations.

That followed sightings by the National Biodiversity Data Centre by members of the public.

Chub are non-native in Ireland, and the River Inny is the only Irish river in which they have been recorded.

The species was initially subject to removal operations between 2006 and 2010, and it had been hoped that the species had been eradicated from Irish waters.

“It is unclear at this stage whether these fish represent growth in the original population or are as a result of a second introduction,” IFI said.

“Inland Fisheries Ireland are endeavouring to establish the status and distribution of the species within the catchment which will help inform potential management programmes.”

Dr Cathal Gallagher, IFI’s head of research, explained that non-native fish species threaten Irish ecosystems in unforeseen ways, and are therefore a cause for concern.

“We would appeal to anglers to protect our fisheries by not moving fish between watercourses for any reason and submit any sightings directly to IFI or through the IFI hotline on 1850 34 74 24,” he said.

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    Mute Mary Nugent
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 1:05 AM

    Years away in this Country, it has always been disgraceful. The things of insult Mothers and Fathers have gone through for years and years. To get the best that they can for their childern, when they are adults it’s still the same.

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    Mute Waltzing Matilda
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 9:34 AM

    Thank you, Maria Delaney, for a well written and thoroughly researched article. Without the support from disability groups, this project appears to be a political vanity project – something to point to and say “Look, we do care about disability issues, see what we built.” One can only hope that the funding won’t be at the cost of the types of services disability groups actually want. And one might hope that journalism like this forces better consultation procedures in the future.

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    Mute Mary Paget
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 10:19 AM

    Your getting it weather you like it or not so shane Ross

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    Mute Luan Willis
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 2:04 PM

    @Mary Paget: I don’t like bad weather, or shane for that matter.

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    Mute Mary Paget
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 6:30 PM

    Hi f off

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    Mute Mary Paget
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 6:31 PM

    @Luan Willis: f off

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 2:04 PM

    It was obvious to the disability community, that this is a terrible idea.
    We have people from across the disability spectrum saying it.
    All the people quoted in this article against it, are disabled.
    Those for it, are not.
    Nothing About Us, Without Us.
    #UNCRPD is not a wish list it is the United Nation Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This plan goes against everything it it.
    The government need to keep their word

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    Mute Pat Mc Carthy
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 12:53 PM

    Voice of Vision Impairment, is not the only disabled person’s organisation for vision-impaired people in Ireland.

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    Mute Mary Paget
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 6:29 PM

    That was as time consuming as war and peace ffs

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