Lough Derg Native Fish Biodiversity Project Lough Derg: River Shannon
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Lough Derg Native Fish Biodiversity Project Lough Derg: River Shannon Vital statistics Surface area 118 km² Average depth 7.6 m Max. depth 36 m Water volume 0.887 km³ Residence time 0.15 years Shore length1 179,000 m Surface elevation 33.5 Image etc (source Wikipedia) Multiuser resource Important recreational fishery for trout and coarse fish species Impacts include Impoundment Pollution Invasive non-native species Navigation works The bloody shrimp Zebra mussel Lough Derg Native Fish Biodiversity Project Core Aim “To identify and describe the native fish biodiversity in Lough Derg, and risks affecting their survival which should facilitate sustainable management of the lake and the native fish community for future generations to appreciate and enjoy” Lough Derg Native Fish Biodiversity Project Partners 13 Angling Clubs, Inland Fisheries Ireland, ESB, Irish Char Conservation Group, Lough Derg Sub-Aqua Club and two universities (Queens and University of Waterloo, Canada). Aims 1. To identify and describe the native fish biodiversity of Lough Derg using phenotypic and genetics 2. Figure out why the pollan stocks have collapsed 3. Examine changes in fish composition in the lough 4. See if there really are different types of trout in the lough 5. See if the non-native fish and invertebrates are causing problems to food web. Lough Derg NFB Project • 2006: stakeholders met and project started • 2006 -2010 anglers contribute to sampling of fish • 2007 major netting survey of the lough by stakeholders • 2007 local divers survey substrate, also visit ot Lough Neagh to see “pollan fishery” • 2008 PhD funding from EPA – sampling commences on streams for juvenile trout genetics • 2008 – 2010 major call for lampreys and trout samples • 2010 sampling ongoing for universities • 2011 recognition that funding needed to progress project to next phase Kevin Grimes (standing) St. Flannans Fishing Club and Rory Sheehan (IFI) carry out hydroacoustic survey Sample of fish taken -perch Setting gill nets in 2007 survey Divers in Lough Derg Diver PJ Phelan (Lough Derg Subaqua club collect benthic samples Angler head out to collect trout samples Public awareness key element of project Lough Derg NFB Project A few examples Pollan: Status and conservation issues Derg pollan (source F. Igoe) 1. Last sighting before project commenced was in 2002 2. Recorded 2 pollan in 2007 3. Estimated at ~1.5% of population present in 1920 4. Highly threatened Brown trout: Trout diversity in the Lough Derg Anecdotal evidence of diversity The Gillaroo trout •Anglers report different types of trout from the lough The Croneen trout •Historical literature also reports different •species or types of trout, e.g., Gillaroo •old log books, folklore of local people • and early surveys also report presence of Gillaroo trout Presumed migration of the Croneen Trout FISH PHOTOGRAPH FOR IDENTIFICATION AND MORPHOMETRICS Shape analysis to be carried out in tandem with genetics Trout genetics (funded by EPA) Preliminary genetic work (J. McGee, Queens University pers comm.). • >700 lake trout samples collected (13 angling clubs) • >1200 juvenile fish collected (IFI/ShRFB and ESB) •Atleast four distinct trout groups or types have been identified from the samples Lamprey attached to freshly landed trout Source (Mylo) Lamprey: Status and conservation issues Lamprey known to attack trout on the lough •What species of lamprey? Sea lamprey •What species of fish were under attack? Brown trout, pike and also bream and roach •Are they landlocked or opportunistic migrating juveniles? Not sure •Are they having a negative impact on the other fish species on the lough? Individual yes, population level probably not? •Where do they spawn? Unknown Survey of lamprey attacks on coarse fish carried out in 2010 (Lower L. Derg) Perentage of bream showing lamprey attack marks 25 n=10 20 n=35 n=26 15 % 10 n=12 5 n=6 0 27th. May 2010 31st. May 2010 17Th. June 2010 20th. July 2010 12th August 2010 Special thanks to TJ O Brien To conclude Lough Derg NFB Project • Pollan still surviving in L. Derg – only just! • Trout diversity high based on genetic work • No evidence that the Croneen (Camcor) trout occur in L. Derg • Gillaroo trout appear to be extinct! • Sea lamprey actively feeding on trout, pike, roach and bream • Invasive species Gammarus tigrinnus present in the lough • Rudd virtually disappeared and replaced by roach in biomass terms • Future collaboration with other countries to learn from each others experiences Big thanks toSummary all the volunteers and •thoseOverall in stateaim is agencies the sustainable and others use who of haveLough helped Derg and worked to the spirit of • Protection ofthe native project fish community • Development of eco-friendly tourism • Development of appreciation by local community and stakeholders of the lough • More integrated planning and management by statutory agencies with direct “bottom up” stakeholder participation in management decisions.