Aquatic and Riparian Invasive Species Research in Republic of

Joe Caffrey Inland Fisheries Ireland

ISI Forum, Belfast Museum – 30th May 2013 What is being done to halt the introduction and spread of AIS?

IFI has assumed responsibility for aquatic and riparian invasive species

Research & Management Strategy for AIS

Follows the three stage hierarchical approach (recommended by CBD) Prevention Early detection and rapid response Long-term control, eradication or containment

Bloody Red Shrimp Research conducted in collaboration with no. institutions and organisations throughout Ireland Nature of AIS Research Undertaken within IFI

n Policy - to influence dev. of national and EU legislation

n Scientific - applied (to underpin management) - collaborative n Management - to refine / develop practical control methods

n Biosecurity - prevent the negative impacts of IAS n Education & Awareness Priority Invasive Aquatic Invertebrate & Fish Species in Ireland

Asian clam Corbicula fluminea

Zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis Bloody red shrimp Hemimysis anomala Chub Leuciscus cephalus Dace Leuciscus leuciscus

Priority Invasive Aquatic & Riparian Plant Species in Ireland

Nuttall’s waterweed Elodea nuttallii Curly leaved waterweed Lagarosiphon major

New Zealand pigmyweed Crassula helmsii Parrot’s feather Myriophyllum aquaticum Fringed water lily Nymphoides peltata Water fern Azolla filiculoides

Himalayan balsam Impatiens glandulifera Knotweed spp Fallopia spp Giant hogweed Heracleum mantegazzianum Rhododendron Rhododendron ponticum

Rinerroon Bay, Lough Corrib pre- Lagarosiphon invasion

Rinerroon Bay, Lough Corrib post-Lagarosiphon (2005)

Japanese knotweed in Corrib catchment

Himalayan balsam on lower

Giant hogweed

Asian clam in River Barrow at St Mullin’s

Policy Research

Approach to IAS both nationally and across Europe is fragmented and uncoordinated

A dedicated EU legislative instrument is planned to tackle:

IAS pathways, early detection and response, control and management

To assist IFI (with Life+ CAISIE) hosted international conference in April 2013 160 international delegates focused workshops --> 20 priority items to be addressed by Europe technical report (FAO) and scientific paper

Participate in dialogue with European Parliament, IUCN, EIFAAC, BIC, etc. Scientific Research

Applied - strongly field based

Collaboration - IT Sligo (Asian clam; Zebra mussel; Lagarosiphon)

- UCD (biocontrol, impacts of AIS on native invertebrates)

- UCC (factors affecting distribution and ecology of Asian clam) - TCD (as above) - GMIT (as above) - QUB (agents to control Asian clam; riparian plant research)

Further collaboration - CABI UK (biocontrol) - EIFAAC (European project) - EC - Life+ (Rivers Trust, RAFTS…) Applied Research to underpin Management of AIS

…. get ‘down & dirty’ to refine or develop new control/eradication methods

n Leuciscus cephalus in

n Lagarosiphon major in Lough Corrib and Darndale Pond

n Corbicula fluminea in lower River Barrow

n Crassula helmsii in

n Elodea nuttallii in many canal, river and lake habitats

n Riparian IS in many catchments

Bloodyn and Red more……. Shrimp Chub (leuciscus cephalus) in River Inny

§ Capable of establishing large populations § Will compete for food and space § Prey on young salmonids and other fishes § Could introduce new diseases or pathogens Chub in the River Inny

2001 & 2004 Unconfirmed reports of angler-caught chub

2005 Presence of live chub confirmed

Progress with Chub Removal from River Inny

n 2006 17 chub (all adult bar one at 13 cm) removed

n 2007 7 chub (all adult) removed

n 2008 2 chub (both adult) – radio tagged and movements monitored monthly for 12 months “Judas Chub” - Radio tag being surgically implanted (2008)

Both stayed together and moved no more than 500 m from original location

Progress with Chub Removal from River Inny

n 2006 17 chub (all adult bar one at 13 cm) removed

n 2007 7 chub (all adult) removed

n 2008 2 chub (both adult) – radio tagged

n 2009 2 chub (both adult) – one of which had been tagged removed

n 2010 2 chub (both adult) – one of which had been tagged removed

n 2011 no chub (no reported sightings or catches)

n 2012 no chub (no reported sightings or catches)

n 2013 no reported sightings or catches Eradicated?

Majority of chub removed from River Inny No sustainable population

No juveniles captured or reported No reported sightings by anglers since 2009

Rapid and continuous reaction ---> Success!! Lagarosiphon major (Curly-leaved waterweed)

Highly invasive aquatic

Native to Southern Africa

‘Oxygenating weed’

Artificial watercourses

1st confirmed in L Corrib in 2005

Life+ project commenced 2009

Lagarosiphon in Lough Corrib

Lagarosiphon Management Programme

n Hand removal (using divers)

n (Herbicides)

n Biological control – in collaboration with UCD (and Rhodes University, SA)

n Life cycle studies (find weak link)

n Mechanical harvesting

n Light exclusion

With funding from EU Life+ and NPWS Mechanical Cutting in Lough Corrib

n Deep cut using paired V-blades

n Containment nets employed

Harvesting Cut Weed in Lough Corrib

Light Exclusion using Biodegradable Jute Matting

n Open-weave fabric - jute or hessian (burlap in US) n Natural fibre

n Biodegrades totally n Saturates and sinks rapidly Light Exclusion using Jute Matting*

Preliminary trials proved highly effective

Lagarosiphon died rapidly beneath jute

Native charophyte vegetation grew through matting within 4 months Dense meadows established within 10 months No Lagarosiphon has grown through geotextile

Technique being widely employed

* Caffrey et al. (2010) Aquatic Invasions Lagarosiphon Management in Lough Corrib n By 2013 – 90% reduction in biomass from initial infestation n No large canopy-forming stands

n Angling has dramatically improved n Biodiversity preserved Corbicula fluminea (Asian clam)

One of the most widespread and notorious aquatic invaders…..

Probably intentionally introduced into one location as a food item

Distribution in Ireland 2010 - 2012

n Recorded in St Mullin’s, lower and Carrick-on-Shannon in 2010

n Recorded in Lough Derg in January 2011

n Recorded in Shannon locations in 2012

Probably unintentionally spread on anglers keep nets Corbicula fluminea – Invasive Life Cycle n Hermaphrodite, capable of cross- and self-fertilisation n Reproduce in spring and autumn

n Can produce up to 70,000 juveniles per annum n Juveniles fully formed on release, with a single sticky byssal thread n Matures at 3 – 12 months n Adult life spans 1 – 5 years Asian clam – Management Programme

n Collaboration with third level institutions

n Benthic barriers n Dredging n Disturbance trials Asian clam – Management Programme

n Collaboration with third level institution

IT Sligo, QUB, UCC, TCD and UCD

Detailed distribution Biology and ecology Pathways and vectors Reaction to chemicals / toxins Efficacy of practical control measures Benthic Barrier Trials in River Barrow 2011

n Trial to test efficacy of benthic barriers, with and without salt, on Corbicula n 5 replicates for each - plastic with salt / plastic without salt - jute with salt / jute without salt

- control with salt / control without salt n Baskets buried for 15, 30 and 45 days before removal and quantification

Benthic Barrier Trials in River Barrow 2011

Benthic Barrier Trials in River Barrow 2011

n Trial to test efficacy of benthic barriers, with and without salt, on Corbicula n 5 replicates for each - plastic with salt / plastic without salt - jute with salt / jute without salt

- control with salt / control without salt n Baskets buried for 15, 30 and 45 days before removal and quantification n Mortality among controls was significant – filling baskets affected results n Neither plastic or jute barriers alone resulted in significant clam mortality n With salt added, mortality increased beneath barriers n Most effective was 71% mortality after 45 days with plastic and salt n Not feasible to cover large areas (many kms) of natural river channel (may have application at early stage of infestation) Removal using Cockle Harvester 2012

Removal using Cockle Harvester 2012

Box dredge

Electric dredge Hydraulic dredge Removal using Cockle Harvester 2012

Each of the dredgers effectively removed clams and many tonnes were

removed over the 6 days

Removal using Cockle Harvester 2012

n Analysis of data in progress (IT Sligo)

Planned Control Work on Corbicula – 2013 and on

n Evaluate dredging and disturbance trials – progress as indicated n Electricity

n Ultrasound n Chemicals (e.g. anti-fouling paints…..) n International collaboration Biosecurity & Public Awareness

Measures to prevent and mitigate against the negative impacts of invasive species and pathogens

Awareness raising and stakeholder engagement

Active measures – implementation of rigorous cleaning and disinfection

To effectively tackle IS you must know what you are dealing with - those present - those not yet recorded What’s Around the River Bend?

Horizon scanning (RA) has revealed no. species on our doorstep

Killer shrimp Signal crayfish Topmouth gudgeon

Salmon fluke ( Gyrodactylus ) Koi Herpes Virus

Large-flowered waterweed Creeping water primrose Floating pennywort

Expect the Unexpected – , Co Dublin

Education & Awareness Materials (aided by CAISIE and CIRB)

Information leaflets Popular, technical and scientific articles Biosecurity protocols for stakeholders (6)

Signage Pop-ups and back-drops IS Alerts Identification guides (e.g. leaflets, key rings) Websites Facebook and Twitter DVD for CAISIE project (30 minute) Calendars Rulers, badges, wrist bands, T-shirts, pens, USB keys …. Angler Disinfection Kits App for smart ‘phones Emergency no. (24/7) and more …….. Education & Awareness

n Over 100 oral presentations to stakeholders (CAISIE and CIRB projects) n Contributed to module on ‘Something Fishy’ curriculum course

n Practical ID courses at major events (e.g. Bloom, World Angling C’ships…) n Practical demonstrations of biosecurity to anglers, boaters n Set up disinfection stations at angling and boating events Biosecurity Research

Biosecurity must become an instinctive and integral part of one’s water-based activities

Aim – to provide the angler (water user) with the info and tools to self-regulate n Rolled out mobile disinfection procedure in 2010 - Virkon - “No Dip No Draw” policy (compulsory disinfection) n Upgraded system in 2011 and 2012 - widely used at all major events

n Produced compact Angler Disinfection Kits and permanent disinfection stations in 2013 (with assistance from CIRB)

AIS Research in Ireland

Collaborative effort in this area is vital to success (has worked well thus far!)

Continuing to research and develop practical control capabilities Continue to research and develop usable and effective biosecurity methods for stakeholders

No new priority AIS recorded since April 2010

Thanks for your attention

Acknowledgements

EU Life+ CAISIE

EU Interreg IVA CIRB IFI RBDs

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Northern Ireland Environment Agency

Office of Public Works

Waterways Ireland

National Biodiversity Data Centre

Invasive Species Ireland

…… then, there always is the Nuclear Option!!