New Weed Cutting Boat Launched on Lough Corrib
2008-03-31
The Western Regional Fisheries board is delighted to announce the launch of a new boat designed for weed cutting operations on Lough Corrib. The boat was commissioned in conjunction with the Central Fisheries Board and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Built in Italy and costing €80,000, the boat is designed primarily to target the invasive weed Lagarosiphon major (the African curly-leaved waterweed). This alien species was first found in Lough Corrib in 2005 and since then has spread to many bays. It grows extremely fast, and completely overgrows native water plants. If left unchecked, Lagarosiphon would completely alter the ecology of the lake, and render many bays inaccessible to boat access and fishing. Weed cutting operations will enable the Western Regional Fisheries Board to control the growth of Lagarosiphon, and keep the shallow bays of the lake navigable for boats and accessible to anglers. On Tuesday the 1st of April, the boat will commence weed cutting operations in Rinneroon Bay, near Oughterard. Media representatives will be facilitated to see the operation up close, as the WRFB will have a boat available to transport people to Rinneroon Bay and view the weed cutting boat in operation. The boat will depart from Oughterard Pier at 12.30 p.m., and subsequent trips will be run until 3.00 p.m. to facilitate press/photo.