ECOFACT celebrates its 10 Year Anniversary

During 2009 ECOFACT will be celebrating its 10 Year Anniversary. The celebrations will commemorate the company’s establishment as a small 2-person company in 1999 with a grant and assistance from the Limerick City Enterprise Board and Shannon Development. Since 1999 ECOFACT has grown into a successful and important member of the ecology and environmental management community in Ireland.

New report on crayfish in Irish lakes

The National Parks and Wildlife will shortly publish the report ‘Monitoring of White-clawed crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes in Irish Lakes during 2007’ which was prepared by ECOFACT Environmental Consultants. This report will be published as part of the Irish Wildlife Manuals Series. This report outlines the findings of a major study of the Annex II listed white-clawed crayfish in 26 selected Irish lakes which was completed during 2007. The white-clawed crayfish is Ireland’s only crayfish species and Ireland is thought to hold some of the best European stocks of this species, under least threat from external factors. Lake populations of white-clawed crayfish are rare in Britain and across Europe so this adds to Ireland’s unique position in harbouring populations in lime-rich lakes. The current study significantly adds to our understanding of crayfish populations in Irish lakes and provides a baseline reference for future studies. A revised manual for surveying crayfish in lakes is also being published as part of this report.

Draft Management Plans for Freshwater Pearl Mussel published

The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has prepared 27 Draft Management Plans for Freshwater Pearl Mussel in accordance with Article 13 (5) of the Water Framework Directive. The objective of the plans is to restore the Annex II listed freshwater pearl mussel populations in 27 rivers, or stretches of rivers that are within the boundaries of Special Areas of Conservation. The freshwater pearl mussel is considered to be extremely endangered and is currently not reproducing in any river in Ireland, including recent new sites for the species recorded by ECOFACT on the River Deel, Co Mayo and River Sheen, Co Kerry. Copies of the Draft Management Plans and Programmes of Measures can be downloaded here.

Eel management Plans

The European Commission has adopted European Eel Regulation (EC) No 1100/2007 which aims to establish measures for the recovery of the European eel stock. Under this regulation an Eel Management Plan (EMP) must be prepared by all Member States for implementation from 1 July 2009. The objective of each EMP is to reduce man-made mortalities to achieve a target escapement of adult eel equivalent to 40% of biomass. The draft Eel Management Plan for Ireland has been recently submitted to the European Commission. Given the implications of the scientific and management advice, the absolute necessity to conserve remaining stocks and the obligation to contribute to the recovery of stocks in the shortest time possible, four main Management Actions aimed at reducing eel mortality and increasing silver eel escapement in Irish waters are recommended in the draft Eel Management Plan.

These are:

• an immediate cessation of the commercial eel fishery and closure of the market,
• mitigation of the impact of hydropower, including a comprehensive silver eel trap and transport plan,
• ensuring upstream migration of juvenile eel at barriers and
• the improvement of water quality in eel habitats.

Once approved by the Commission the Eel Management Plan must be implemented from 1 July 2009. It will take many years to achieve recovery of stocks to historical levels. An evaluation of the eel stock and management measures will be undertaken every 3 years until 2018 and every 6 years thereafter. For the foreseeable future, management of the fishery will focus on conservation.

The eel management plans can be downloaded here.

ECOFACT awarded contracts to provide management assessments for 13 Waste Water Treatment Plants in County Laois

ECOFACT Environmental Consultants have been recently appointed by Laois County Council to prepare Receiving Water Impact Assessments for 13 Waste Water Treatment Plants in County Laois. The reports will be prepared in line with the Waste Water Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations (2007). The purpose of the reports will be to assess whether the existing waste water discharge(s) from the plants are having a significant adverse impact on the receiving waters, or any Natura 2000 Site. The reports will also recommend design standards necessary for proposed plants to ensure WFD compliance. The plants are located in the towns of Abbeyleix, Rathdowney, Durrow, Mountrath, Mountmellick, Portarlington, Ballylynan, Stradbally, Borris-on-Ossory, Ballinakill, Ballyroan, Castletown and Clonaslee.