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Press Release 27th November 2009
Expert Advisory Group Meets to Review Progress in Ireland’s Battle with Non-native Invasive Species
A high level Project Advisory Group, Chaired by Dr Ciaran O’Keefe of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), met yesterday at the Central Fisheries Board HQ in Dublin. Those attending this inaugural meeting received a progress report on the €1.5m EU Life+ funded project which aims to reduce and prevent the further loss of native Irish aquatic plants and habitat caused by the introduction of invasive non-native plants, animals and fish.
The Project Advisory Group is made up of experts from across a wide range of agencies and organisations including some of the countries top scientists. The group has a vast amount of experience and expertise and will provide advice on any technical issues that may arise during the running and implementation of this important project. Activities covered by the project include, physical management works aimed at stopping the spread of these invasive species, a series of stakeholder meetings and engagements and an education and awareness programme. The Project Advisory Group will also support, encourage and contribute to the development of policies and legislation to combat the growing threat opposed by non-native invasive species.
The project is being managed by the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards, with expert advice provided by the Project Advisory Group, and will target non-native invasive species on Lough Corrib, the Grand Canal and the Barrow Navigation. The project will run until April 2013 and will inform the control and management of non-native invasive species in Ireland for many years to come.
For media enquires
Linda Mc Kenny,
PR and Communication Officer,
Central Fisheries Board,
Swords Business Campus,
Swords, Co. Dublin
Tel: 01 8842639 Mobile: 087 3294440
Email: linda.mckenny@cfb.ie Website: www.cfb.ie
Notes to Editor:
The Central Fisheries Board (CFB) is a statutory body operating under the aegis of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and was established under the Fisheries Act 1980.
Its principal functions are to advise the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources on policy relating to the conservation, protection, management, development and improvement of inland fisheries and sea angling, to co-ordinate and provide specialist and support services to the Regional Fisheries Boards, and to advise the Minister on the performance by the Regional Fisheries Boards of their functions.
Under the rationalisation of state agencies outlined in Budget 2009, The Central and Regional Fisheries Boards will be merged to form Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) in early 2010.
The Project Advisory Group is made up of representatives from across a wide range of agencies and organisations including, National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), Northern Ireland Environment Agency, The Heritage Council, Comhar, the Inland Waterway Association of Ireland, Waterways Ireland, Office of Public Works (OPW), the Environmental Protection Agency, National Botanic Gardens, Galway County Council and the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards.
