Zebra Mussel Infestation of Lough Corrib

The Western Regional Fisheries Board has confirmed the presence of the introduced bivalve Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) in Lough Corrib, which until now has remained free of this invasive species. Infestation of lakes in the Shannon system has already caused widespread losses in floral and faunal diversity. Due to its prolific reproductive rate, Zebra Mussel populations can increase rapidly, leading to severe ecological damage to aquatic systems and fisheries, and also to infrastructure such as water intakes and pipelines. The Western Regional Fisheries Board has confirmed that the species has infested a substantial area of the lake in an area north of Oughterard and on RTE News it was stated that ecological change is likely to be irreversible, with the existing population likely to spread quickly throughout the entire lake system.