Ministers urge the public to engage on River Basin Management Plan by March 31st 

Ministers urge the public to engage on River Basin Management Plan by March 31st 

March 22nd marks World Water Day 2022. Held every year since 1993, the day highlights the importance of fresh water and the sustainable management of this precious resource. This year’s event focusses on groundwater quality. To mark this occasion, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD and Minister of State with responsibility for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, have issued a final reminder urging the public to engage with the draft River Basin Management Plan public consultation, which closes on March 31st 2022.

According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), 92% of our groundwater – the theme of this year’s UN World Water Day – has achieved good status or better. However, recent EPA reports have indicated that nitrate concentrations in our groundwater are increasing. In the words of the 2020 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate, groundwater expert John Cherry, groundwater is “the Earth’s life support system.” It regulates the freshwater cycle, acting a giant sponge that can absorb surplus water and mitigate shortages, making it of vital importance in terms of adaptation to climate variability.

Of significant concern is the fact that Ireland is now experiencing a sustained decline in water quality. From a total number of 4842 water bodies in Ireland, the status of our water in lakes, rivers and coastal waters as “good status” or better lies at between 50 and 53%. Overall, water quality is in decline due to a number of pressures including agricultural activity, hydromorphology and urban waste water. Key measures required to address the decline in water quality include reducing the loss of soil from farmland into water, reducing the physical impacts on waters caused by drainage measures barriers such as weirs and continued investment in urban and rural water services.

A key tool in the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD), the next River Basin Management Plan will contain the programme of measures that will help Ireland protect, improve and sustainably manage our water environment to 2027. Achieving good water quality in our rivers, lakes, estuaries and seas is essential for protecting Ireland’s drinking water sources, environment and people’s quality of life. As part of our consultation process, over 1000 people have attended 63 regional meetings held by the Local Authority Water Programme (LAWPRO) throughout the country to receive information on the draft River Basin Management Plan and have their say on measures to improve water quality over the next five years. A programme of stakeholder engagement has also taken place through meetings with environmental NGOs, agricultural groups, Local Authorities and other water groups.

Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien T.D. said:

“I’m pleased to see the level of engagement so far with this public consultation and I encourage people to make a submission by March 31st. The challenges facing our water resources are real and urgent. The draft River Basin Management Plan is marked by its ambition to improve water quality and commitment to working with stakeholder groups to achieve this improvement.

The theme of this year’s World Water Day is groundwater. I’m heartened to say that of all our categories of water bodies, our groundwater quality is generally good. However that isn’t a reason for complacency and recent EPA data shows increased nitrate concentrations in our groundwater. Groundwater is essential to mitigating water shortage and with our changing climate, important in times of drought.”

Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan T.D. noted

“I strongly urge people to get involved with this public consultation and have their voices heard on this important topic. For the first time, since the river basin management process began in cycle 1 (2010-2015), we now have detailed estimates of the scale of mitigation measures required to significantly improve water quality and most importantly where those measures should be deployed. These estimates are based on detailed technical evidence generated by the EPA, local authorities, Inland Fisheries Ireland and other state agencies over the first two management cycles. The draft River Basin Management Plan intends to use this data to target measures in the best locations dependent on the nature of the problem putting in the ‘right measure in the right place.’ This data leaves us well placed to scale up our ambition to protect and improve Ireland’s water, to sustain communities, industries and our economy.”

Members of the public can submit their views on water quality via the public consultation here

ENDS

About World Water Day

World Water Day is on 22 March every year. It is an annual United Nations Observance, started in 1993, that celebrates water and raises awareness of the 2 billion people currently living without access to safe water. A core focus of World Water Day is to inspire action towards Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.

About the River Basin Management Plan

Under the EU Water Framework Directive, Ireland is required to produce a river basin management plan every 6 years to protect and improve water quality. The next plan will cover the period 2022-2027. This vital plan will set out the environmental objectives for water quality to be achieved by 2027 and identify the measures that will protect and restore our rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal waters, to ensure those objectives are achieved. The plan will also identify the bodies responsible for implementing these measures.

See www.gov.ie/draftRBMP for more information

 

March 23, 2022

‘Check, Clean, Dry’ Campaign to protect Irish Waterways launched by Leave No Trace Ireland, the National Biodiversity Data Centre and Partners

‘Check, Clean, Dry’ Campaign to protect Irish Waterways launched by Leave No Trace Ireland, the National Biodiversity Data Centre and Partners

Wednesday 19th January: A new initiative to raise awareness about the spread of harmful invasive plant species and the impact of litter on Irish waterways has been launched by Leave No Trace Ireland in partnership with Waterways Ireland, the National Biodiversity Data Centre, Sport Ireland, Canoeing Ireland, Inland Fisheries Ireland, the Marine Institute, Outdoor Recreation Northern Ireland, Sport Northern Ireland and supported by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

The ‘Check, Clean, Dry’ Campaign’ aims to raise awareness about biosecurity and the impacts of litter and is calling on the public to play their part in protecting Ireland’s waterways.

Launching the campaign, Padraic Creedon, Ecologist with Leave No Trace Ireland said biosecurity is all about reducing the risk of introducing or spreading invasive species and harmful disease in rural and urban environments.

“Ireland is facing an increased threat of invasive alien species in and on its waterways. These are non-native species that have been introduced by human intervention, outside their natural range that can threaten our native wildlife, cause damage to our environment, economy and human health.  Water Soldier, (Stratiotes aloides), chub and pink salmon are just some of the species threatening Ireland’s waterways.”

John McDonagh, Chief Executive of Waterways Ireland added: “Waterways Ireland is delighted to partner on this important campaign with Leave No Trace Ireland. Our inland waterways are rich ecological and heritage corridors, enjoyed by a variety of recreational users.  The introduction or spread of invasive species, both terrestrial and aquatic, is of key concern as it negatively impacts our native biodiversity and can seriously disrupt people’s enjoyment of the waterways.  We would strongly urge our users to adopt the Check, Clean, Dry approach so we can all work together to preserve this valuable resource for current and future generations.”

Malcolm Noonan TD, Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, also expressed his support for the ‘Check, Clean, Dry’ Campaign’. The Minister noted that tackling invasive alien species is vital to our efforts to halt biodiversity loss and that the Programme for Government provides for development of a new National Invasive Species Management Plan.

“Invasive species are a serious threat to our biodiversity, and I fully support the efforts of Leave No Trace and their partners in this new campaign to raise awareness about Check Clean Dry protocols. I’m delighted to see my Department’s strong engagement in this initiative through Waterways Ireland and the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and hope that it will help to improve vital biosecurity measures all over this island’s waterways. Through the British Irish Council, the NPWS also engages with counterparts in Great Britain to encourage water users on both sides of the Irish Sea to apply these simple but effective measures.”

The new campaign is asking anyone who goes out on the water to help in reducing the risk of spreading invasive species and disease by following the Check, Clean, Dry principles.

  • CHECK boats, equipment, clothing and footwear for any plant or animal material, including seeds, spores and soil. Pay particular attention to areas that are damp or hard to inspect.
  • CLEAN and wash all equipment, footwear and clothes thoroughly. If you do come across any plants and animals, leave them at the water body where you found them.
  • DRY all equipment and clothing for at least 48 hours – some species can live for many days or weeks in moist conditions. Make sure you don’t transfer water elsewhere. (NOTE: If complete drying is not possible then disinfect everything).

Information and updates on the ‘Check, Clean, Dry’ Campaign will be available on the National Biodiversity Data Centre’s new invasive species website www.invasives.ie, through Leave No Trace Ireland’s website and its partners’ social media channels.

Media Contact: Derek Cunningham 086-2430535

Note to Editors:

Invasive alien species

Invasive alien species are species that have been introduced (deliberately or accidentally) by humans and have a negative impact on the economy, wildlife or habitats of the island of Ireland. Our activities are the main cause of the arrival of invasive species. Many species are deliberately released, like species of fish for angling. Others have escaped from our gardens and farms like the American mink and giant rhubarb. Some arrive as hitch hikers and stowaways with imported goods or other species such as the New Zealand flatworm.

The number of high impact invasive alien species introduced into Ireland has increased by 183% from 1961 to 2010. Research carried out in 2013 indicated that the combined estimated annual cost of invasive species on the economies of both Ireland and Northern Ireland is £207,553,528 (€261,517,445), with an estimate of a combined UK and Ireland cost of £2 billion (€2.5 billion).

Since the 17th century invasive species have contributed to nearly 40% of all animal extinctions for which the cause is known. Invasive alien species can transform the structure and species composition of ecosystems by repressing or excluding native species. Because invasive species are often one of a whole suite of factors affecting particular sites or ecosystems, it is not always easy to determine the proportion of the impact that can be attributed to them.

Organisations

Leave No Trace Ireland is Ireland’s only outdoor ethics programme, which promotes the responsible use of the outdoors. Through education, research and partnerships, Leave No Trace Ireland enables and supports individuals, communities, organisations and companies in reducing the environmental impact of outdoor activities.

Waterways Ireland is one of the six all-Ireland North/South implementation bodies established under the Belfast Agreement in 1999. It is responsible for the management, maintenance, development, and restoration of inland navigable waterways primarily for recreational purposes.

National Biodiversity Data Centre works to make biodiversity data and information more freely available to better understand and assist the protection of Ireland’s biodiversity.

Sport Ireland is the authority tasked with the development of sport in Ireland. This includes participation in sport, high-performance sport, anti-doping, coaching, and the development of the Sport Ireland Campus.

Canoeing Ireland was formed in 1960 and is registered as a limited company in order to provide liability protection for its members. It is recognised by the Irish Sports Council and the Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) as the governing body of the sport and recreation of canoeing in Ireland. It is affiliated with the International and European Canoe Federations.

Inland Fisheries Ireland protects, manages and conserves Ireland’s inland fisheries and sea angling resources.

Marine Institute is the state agency responsible for marine research, technology development and innovation in Ireland.

Outdoor Recreation Northern Ireland is a not-for-profit organisation who make it easier for people to responsibly enjoy the outdoors.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is responsible for implementing legislation and policy on invasive alien species in Ireland.

Sport Northern Ireland is the leading public body for the development of sport in Northern Ireland. Their mission is to lead sports development at all levels.

 

Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Press Office

Tel: (01) 888 2638 (direct)

Email: press@housing.gov.ie

Website: gov.ie/housing

Twitter: @DeptHousingIRL

January 20, 2022

Imprisonment and fines following convictions for illegal netting of salmon on River Barrow

Imprisonment and fines following convictions for illegal netting of salmon on River Barrow

A man received a sentence of five months’ imprisonment, a €2000 fine and ordered to pay €1245 in court costs, following a prosecution taken by Inland Fisheries Ireland at Kilkenny District Court on Monday, 12th July 2021.

Also in Kilkenny District Court on the same date, another man received a sentence of three months’ imprisonment, a €1500 fine and was ordered to pay €1245 in court costs following a prosecution taken by Inland Fisheries Ireland.

Inland Fisheries Ireland Officers outlined the facts of the case to the court of how both men had been observed in the act of illegal netting on the River Barrow, attempting to capture salmon.
As a statutory consequence of the conviction for use of a boat contrary to Section 285 (A)(1) of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959, the boat that was seized by Inland Fisheries Ireland is now automatically forfeited.
The breaches of Fisheries legislation occurred on the 21st of July 2020 on the River Barrow, in the townland of Bauck, Co. Carlow/Kilconnelly, Co. Kilkenny.

Evidence in relation to the offence was given before Judge Brian O’Shea, sitting at Kilkenny District Court.  Judge O’Shea proceeded to convict the defendants on all charges under Section 96, 97, 65 and 285A of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959.  This case has been appealed to the Circuit Court.

Meanwhile, Inland Fisheries Ireland has confirmed that a total of 250 illegal fishing nets, measuring 13,158 metres in total, were among the 1,287 items seized by the agency on its patrols and inspections in 2020.

Other items seized by Inland Fisheries Ireland included boats, spear guns, hand lines, traps, illegally caught fish and stroke hauls which are large-weighted hooks used to impale a fish.
To report suspicions of illegal fishing, or sightings of illegal nets, members of the public are encouraged to call Inland Fisheries Ireland’s confidential hotline number on 1890 34 74 24, which is open 24 hours a day.

August 4, 2021