Waterways Ireland wishes to advise masters and owners of vessels that the Broadmeadows water activity course to the east of Castle Island, Enniskillen, is now operational for the summer season.
This water activity area will restrict the movement of vessels through this section of the navigation, the channel to the west of Castle Island remains open to boat users.
Waterways Ireland thanks its customers for their cooperation in this matter.
Serious threat to native White Clawed Freshwater Crayfish
Waterways Ireland has been advised by the National Parks and Wildlife Service that an outbreak of Crayfish plague has been confirmed in Ireland on the River Suir Catchment in Clonmel. The cause of the outbreak is unknown but people are being asked to follow simple biosecurity measures to restrict the outbreak to the current location and prevent further spread to other river catchments.
Measures that should be taken by all users, for all activities on all systems and to prevent the spread of all invasive species are as follows:
Allowing all equipment (fishing tackle, waders, kayaking equipment, boats etc) to dry out and leave to dry thoroughly for a further 48 hours, before it is used elsewhere.
If drying out equipment is not feasible equipment should be:
Power Steam washed at a suitably high temperature (at least above 65 degrees)– use of mobile steam power washers or use of nearby power washers at Service stations as an alternative.
Disinfected with a specialised disinfectant eg „Virkon“ or an approved alternative. Iodine disinfectants are available from farm suppliers but these may result in staining. Please follow application guidelines on any used disinfectant.
Alternatively avoid using equipment that has been used in infected rivers/area in any other river, river system or catchment.
Avoid bringing any equipment into and out of any affected areas.
If anyone spots a suspected Native White Clawed Crayfish kill, which is identified by seeing crayfish lying on the bed of a river „Belly Up“, often near bridges, walls etc please report sightings with photographs to:
NPWS at biodiversitypolicy@ahg.gov.ie with details of location/date; a photo if available or
Waterways Ireland wishes to advise masters and owners of vessels that the Erne Rally will be visiting Belleek this week-end and berthage will be at a premium.
Owners not participating in the rally may wish to consider alternative mooring on the Lower Lough.
Waterways Ireland thanks its customers for their cooperation in this matter.
Waterways Ireland wishes to advise masters and owners of vessels that following events will take place in the vicinity of Carrick-on-Shannon Town Bridge as part of the Carrick Carnival Sun 4th and Mon 5th Jun.
On Sun 4thJune a fireworks display will be held between 2300hrs and 2359hrs. The pyrotechnics will be fired from Murrays Bay and masters are requested to observe the exclusion zone which will be patrolled by safety craft and to obey any instructions given by event marshals.
On Mon 5th June a raft race will take place, commencing from the floating moorings south of the bridge, through the navigation arch and finish in the Boat Club Bay, between 1730 and 1800hrs.
Masters are requested to proceed at slow speed and with minimum wash when approaching this section of the river and heed any instructions issued by the event marshals.
Waterways Ireland thanks its customers for their cooperation in this matter.
