INLAND FISHERIES IRELAND today announced an immediate ban on angling at the “hotwater” stretch at Lanesborough, Co Longford after the discovery of the invasive Asian Clam there.

In a statement this afternoon, Inland Fisheries warned:

Anglers must be aware of the dangers posed to other waters.

Asian clam can spread on fishing equipment such as keep nets, landing nets, boats, rods and clothing.

A decision has been made to close this section of the fishery as a temporary measure to avoid the accidental spread of Asian Clam to other waters.

After bio-security measures, including disinfection for angling equipment, the stretch of water will reopen “at the earliest opportunity”, the statement added.

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Today’s announcement is a serious development for anglers in the area, because the Asian Clam – Corbilcula fluminea – is known as one of the world’s most dangerous invasive species.

It can reproduce and spread, and out-compete native species for food, so aggressively and quickly that its presence could eventually have a negative impact on public beaches, lake-front homes and swimming areas.

Amanda Mooney from the Shannon River Basin District of Inland Fisheries dubbed the Asian Clam an “aggressive alien invasive species”, and said today’s discovery was a “tremendous shock.”

Corbilcula fluminea was first spotted in Ireland in 2010 in the Rivers Barrow and Nore in Carlow and Kilkenny.

Three further separate populations have since emerged – at Carrick-on-Shannon, Lough Derg, and now at Lanesborough.

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