Sustainability - Biodiversity - Irish Examiner

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BIODIVERSITY IN ACTION

Sustainability collection highlighting content that relates to protection of our natural world and human life.

BIODIVERSITY IN ACTION

Sustainability collection highlighting content that relates to protection of our natural world and human life.

<p>Mackerel is the most widely-caught fish by sea anglers here, a survey by Inland Fisheries Ireland found.</p>

outdoors

Mackerel boats ‘full to the chin’ no more as quota down by over 70%

Foreign fishers are usually blamed for gross over-exploitation of our stocks. As with many other species, mackerel around our coast are also diminishing because of overfishing

<p>The more we manage to restore and rehabilitate peaty wetlands, the more resilient our landscapes will be to flooding. Picture: iStock</p>

outdoors

For peat's sake: We cannot afford to let the damage to our wetlands continue

<p>Gulls have become commonplace in cities across the world and have adapted their diets to include chips and bread and other human foods.Picture: iStock</p>

outdoors

Same species, different city: Is nature losing its local accent?

Possible avian flu concern after 11 dead swans discovered at Loughaderra lake in east Cork

munster

Possible avian flu concern after 11 dead swans discovered at Loughaderra lake in east Cork

Fresh Potato Harvest

outdoors

Spring is in the air — here's how you can take biodiversity action from your garden

Undervalued and overlooked: Scrub is nature’s way of rewilding — here's how

outdoors

Undervalued and overlooked: Scrub is nature’s way of rewilding — here's how

Winter weather Feb 16th 2026

Ireland’s seasonal identity crisis — what is it and how can we adjust?

It’s March. The daffodils are out, the evenings are getting longer, and winter is officially over. Or is it ...?

Fri, 06 Mar, 2026

Cainism may help restore eagle numbers in Ireland — here's how

Cainism may help restore eagle numbers in Ireland — here's how

Eagles can’t afford to raise two siblings here and so a form of siblicide observed in youngsters may ironically help Irish restoration

Thu, 05 Mar, 2026

Country Diary Archive : Western European hedgehog

Hedgehogs are waking up from their long winter slumber but they cannot move about as they need

In March, hedgehogs are waking up from hibernation and will soon begin venturing out from their cosy nests in search of food

Wed, 04 Mar, 2026

Rotational heather burn

Senators call on ministers to unblock burn permits to farmers

Senator Eileen Lynch, Cork North-West, said controlled burning, when carried out responsibly and at the correct time of year, is a well-established land management practice

Tue, 17 Feb, 2026

Interactive map showcases Shannon Estuary's wildlife and how to best protect it

Interactive map showcases Shannon Estuary's wildlife and how to best protect it

The Shannon Estuary has been internationally recognised for its wildlife, as it sees many waterbirds travel thousands of kilometres from Greenland and Iceland to winter there

Fri, 23 Jan, 2026

Michael Moynihan: Council responses show they can't see the wood for the trees

S Michael Moynihan: Council responses show they can't see the wood for the trees

Residents of Knockfree Ave in Cork are angered by council plans to cut down mature trees in their area

Thu, 22 Jan, 2026

Asian hornet from Catalonian Garden - Berga

'Cork is a mecca for Asian hornets', beekeepers warn

The public is urged to be vigilant in order to keep the insect under control

Thu, 15 Jan, 2026

Lady's View in Killarney National Park of Ireland - shadows of clouds move on mountains and lakes

Majority of Ireland’s protected habitats still in decline

The Article 17 Report notes that over two-thirds of habitats are impacted by agricultural-related activities, particularly inappropriate grazing, drainage and pollution

Tue, 30 Dec, 2025

Scenic green valley and colourful rhododendron bushes in the Vee, Knockmealdown Mountains, Ireland.

Habitats report a stark contrast to nitrates decision

Biodiversity collapse is not a lost cause, but Government failure to prioritise it is devastating for all those working on nature restoration

Mon, 22 Dec, 2025

Extension of Ireland's derogation 'not a free pass' for farmers, says Michael McGrath

Extension of Ireland's derogation 'not a free pass' for farmers, says Michael McGrath

Under the derogation, Irish farmers are allowed to spread more nitrates, including slurry, on their land than other EU farmers

Thu, 27 Nov, 2025

A field of red clover in Derbyshire, UK.

Department starts payments for 2025 multi-species and red clover silage measures

Farmers who have applied and are eligible under the multi-species sward and red clover silage measures will begin to receive payments for their 2025 crop.

Tue, 18 Nov, 2025

Teagasc opens new research and innovation centre at Johnstown Castle

Teagasc opens new research and innovation centre at Johnstown Castle

The new laboratories at NASRIC will further support research in water quality, soil health, greenhouse gas emissions, carbon farming, nutrient efficiency and farmland biodiversity

Tue, 18 Nov, 2025

Fota Wildlife Park needs your help to keep animals thriving after the bird flu outbreak

Fota Wildlife Park needs your help to keep animals thriving after the bird flu outbreak

Although we faced losses in the initial outbreak, we can confirm that our remaining bird population is currently testing negative for avian influenza, writes Aileen Tennant, director at Fota Wildlife Park

Sat, 08 Nov, 2025

Draining sewage from pipe into river, pollution rivers and ecology.

Mick Clifford: Our rivers are not the only places to have been polluted under the IFI

It seems there has been a complete disregard for the protection of rivers and lakes under Inland Fisheries Ireland, writes Mick Clifford

Mon, 20 Oct, 2025

Asian hornet from Catalonian Garden - Berga

Climate change making Ireland more hospitable to invasive species, experts warn

The Climate Council has warned Ireland is “falling far short” of its international conservation commitments, with an estimated annual biodiversity investment gap of €700m.

Wed, 15 Oct, 2025

Cork fish kill: No culprit for the worst environmental disaster in Ireland this century

Cork fish kill: No culprit for the worst environmental disaster in Ireland this century

A multi-agency investigation failed to find the source of, or even identify, the toxins that killed nearly 40,000 fish in the Blackwater River recently

Tue, 30 Sep, 2025

Biodiversity experts plan for arrival of invasive species amid rise in temperatures

Biodiversity experts plan for arrival of invasive species amid rise in temperatures

A risk register of the chances of non-native species arriving here will be developed

Sun, 14 Sep, 2025

Woman listening music with her mobile phone in first snow

Local radio stations ask young listeners to help them record sounds of nature in Ireland

16 local radio stations will consult with schools and youth groups on the collaboration with climate scientists at Harvard and Copenhagen universities

Sun, 31 Aug, 2025

What is the Asian hornet and should we be worried after one was found in Cork?

What is the Asian hornet and should we be worried after one was found in Cork?

First Cork sighting of invasive Asian hornet highlights risks to Irish honeybees and the need for public vigilance

Thu, 28 Aug, 2025

Working with landowners to protect and restore Ireland's rivers

Working with landowners to protect and restore Ireland's rivers

The EU Waters of LIFE project aims to reverse the decline of Ireland's most pristine rivers

Tue, 26 Aug, 2025

Proposal aims to turn land left over from Cork road scheme into native woodland

Proposal aims to turn land left over from Cork road scheme into native woodland

The land donated to Nature Trust for planting with the type of trees and forest that once covered Ireland would also have public walking trails

Mon, 25 Aug, 2025

'It makes us look like barbarians': No prosecution after white-tailed eagle poisoned in Kerry

'It makes us look like barbarians': No prosecution after white-tailed eagle poisoned in Kerry

There have been three cases of white-tailed eagles being poisoned and killed in 2025 so far despite the bird species being protected under the Wildlife Act

Tue, 19 Aug, 2025

Asian hornet spotted in Cork City sparks biosecurity alert for Ireland

Asian hornet spotted in Cork City sparks biosecurity alert for Ireland

The sighting in Cork is just the second-ever verified sighting of an Asian hornet in Ireland

Wed, 13 Aug, 2025

Four white-tailed sea eagles to be released in Killarney National Park in final year of programme

Four white-tailed sea eagles to be released in Killarney National Park in final year of programme

A total of 245 chicks have been re-introduced by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Norwegian partners since 2007

Fri, 08 Aug, 2025

litter washed up on a beach in county cork, ireland.

A global treaty to limit plastic pollution is within reach — will countries seize the moment?

Representatives from 175 countries will convene in Geneva next month for crucial negotiations on a UN treaty aimed at curbing plastic pollution

Thu, 24 Jul, 2025