Lough Erne Invasive Species Group Established

An inter-agency strategic response to the previously unseen levels of aquatic weed-growth on Lough Erne has been initiated. Called the Lough Erne Invasive Species Group (LEISG) the group is a sub-group of the Lough Erne Management Consultative Committee which is facilitated by Fermanagh District Council. Members of the group include Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), Waterways Ireland, Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) Inland Fisheries, Destination Fermanagh and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

A specific threat has been identified in an invasive weed first identified in Lough Erne a number of years ago but which spread dramatically in 2010. Commonly called ‘Nuttall’s Pondweed’, the weed has survived the winter period in significant quantities and the potential for further growth has implications for recreation and tourism in Co Fermanagh for which a multi-agency response is warranted.

The inter-agency group has gathered information about Nuttall’s Pondweed and is developing appropriate management strategies which will be implemented by the relevant agencies in a co-ordinated manner.

Weed-cutting and harvesting has been identified as the most appropriate control measure available at present. In the event that intervention is required in 2011, weed-cutting will be undertaken by Waterways Ireland within the marked navigation channels at the appropriate time in the growth cycle of Nuttall’s Pondweed. In addition a trial using “trailing cutting knivesâ€