Anglers’ warning over toxic algal blooms on Lough Derg
Warnings about the danger of blue green algal have been highlighted by Lough Derg Anglers’ Association as the toxic green slime makes an unseasonal appearance on the shorelines in several areas of the lake in recent weeks.
Dogs who drink water from shorelines where blooms exist can die within a short time, and the anglers’ association warns that the blooms are also potentially harmful to humans as they can cause skin irritation, mild respiratory problems and hayfever-like symptoms.
“Please keep this in mind before swimming and allowing pets to swim,” states the association, which says that in recent weeks toxic blooms have been appearing “in every corner of the lake”.
Blooms are highly unusual in winter months due to a drop in water temperatures and shorter daylight hours, but a combination of calm conditions, the higher than normal temperatures evident in recent weeks and increasing volumes of nutrients entering the lake are understood to have sparked the unseasonal blooms.
The condition of the lake is causing concern locally, including among memers of the Lorrha Rathcabbin Angling Club which statted: “Something needs to be done about this, too much nutrients are entering our water system.”
The club said its members would be highlighting the issue when general election candidates called to their doors seeking votes. “Our rivers and lakes are deteriorating drastically,” the club stated.
UMBRELLA GROUP
The Lough Derg Anglers Association is the umbrella group for the various angling clubs dotted around the lake. The association was established 1958 to act as a voice against pollution.
Its aim is also to protect and preserve fish stocksin Lough Derg itself and all in the rivers and streams flowing into the lake.
The association is aiming to improve and maintain the lake as a game and coarse fishery in the face of mounting concerns over pollution.
At its recent AGM held in Garrykennedy, the 15-plus angling clubs around the lake sent representatives.
They represented the hundreds of local anglers that fish Lough Derg over the course of the year, and indeed the interests of anglers from Ireland and abroad who want to see water quality in the lake improved and fish such as Derg’s famous large wild brown trout, pike and perch protected.
The new officers and committee elected at the agm are as follows: Chairman, Christopher O' Meara; Vice Chairman, Peter Turner; Secretary, Aaron King; Assistant Secretary, Diarmuid O’ Crowley; Treasurer, Shane Creamer; Assistant Treasurer, John Burns; PRO/Social Media: Senan Stanley; Assistant PRO, Ciaran Stanley.
Any angler wishing to get involved or in supporting the association can get in touch through the Facebook page: “Lough Derg Anglers Association” or email loughderganglersassociation@gmail.com