Innovative project at Mayo lake is already bearing dividends
For the first time in 20 years, there was hatching mayfly on Lough Carra.
A project which aimed to improve water quality and save marine life in a Mayo lake has brought about change.
Cllr Al McDonnell told a meeting of Castlebar Municipal District that the Lough Carra Life project which is ending next year has resulted in real improvements to the lake.
The five-year project led by Mayo County Council was funded jointly by the European Commission LIFE Programme and the Project Funding Partners.
Taking place in the Lough Carra catchment area, it worked with farmers, other landowners, and local community groups to improve water quality, restore the Marl Lake habitat, and raise the conservation status of other habitats and species within the catchment.
“There has been an extraordinary amount of co-operation amongst all the stakeholders,” said Cllr McDonnell.
He said a “slight change in behaviour” from the farming community was all that was required to bring about change.
“It appears that there is some improvement already. For the first time in 20 years, there was hatching mayfly on Lough Carra last Sunday,” said Cllr McDonnell.
He said there must be a follow-on project when the current incarnation ends in 2027 and urged political pressure to be applied.
Cllr McDonnell was supported by his colleagues in the council chamber.
“It shows us what can be done,” said Cllr Harry Barrett.
He said local anglers have articulated to him the declining salmon numbers in the county.
“We need to have a very serious discussion about the dwindling numbers of salmon in County Mayo,” said Cllr Barrett.
He said radical solutions are needed for a huge environmental problem. He said the success of the LIFE project gives hope to salmon conservation in Mayo.
- Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
