Anglers and boatmen express concern at rapid growth of pondweed on lakes

ANGLERS, boatmen and rowing clubs are becoming increasingly concerned about the rapid growth of Canadian pondweed in Killarney’s lakes.

A number of state agencies are planning some action to halt the spread of the highly-invasive weed, which has taken hold in Lough Lein over the past three years.

Similar problems are affecting Lough Corrib in Galway.

The Central Fisheries Board, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Kerry County Council have been urged to act on problems in Killarney.

Killarney Salmon and Trout Anglers’ spokesman DJ O’Riordan said the impact on angling was very severe.

“The only way you can get a trout now is in high water,’’ he said.

The pondweed is used for decorative purposes in garden ponds and may have spread to Lough Lein in that way.

Kerry County Council’s senior executive chemist, David Lenihan, yesterday said the focus would be on preventing the weed from getting into the lake and some restrictions on its distribution use may be introduced.

“At the moment, it’s more of an aesthetic nuisance than anything else, but we will have to review the situation if it gets any worse,’’ he said.

“We’re still gathering information and will proceed on the advice of the fishery boards and the National Parks and Wildlife Service.’’

Canadian pondweed is bracketed with other invasive species such as zebra mussel, rhododendron and the yellow iris.

The Munster Trout Angling Council met the NPWS to discuss the pondweed issue last week.

Lough Lein has been bedeviled by pollution for more than 30 years and bylaws for the protection of the lake have not yet been adopted by Kerry County Council.

Mr David Lenihan said the lake was in a relatively healthy state when compared with its previous condition. He also said transparency in the water was good.