LIFE project on Mayo's Lough Carra yielding positive results with mayfly hatch reported

A GOOD news story is emerging from Lough Carra.

For the first time in 20 years, there was a hatch of mayfly on the lake this week.

The positive result stems from the Lough Carra LIFE project where changes in stakeholder practices are having a positive impact.

With the LIFE project coming to a conclusion in 2027, Councillor Al McDonnell, a long-time advocate for the restoration of Lough Carra, has impressed the need for a phase two project.

He raised the matter with Minister for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O'Sullivan, at the international swift conference hosted by ATU Mayo this week.

The LIFE project has seen an extraordinary amount of cooperation among stakeholders, including farmers, where the slight change in behaviour required has yielded results, Councillor McDonnell informed the monthly Castlebar Municipal District meeting yesterday.

“It appears there is some improvement already,” he stated. “For the first time in 20 years there was a hatch of mayfly on Lough Carra last Sunday.”

Looking ahead, there was no point in the LIFE project ending next year and there has to be a follow on, said Councillor McDonnell.

Pressure is now to be brought on Oireachtas members and ministers to secure funding for an additional project.

Welcoming the good news, Councillor Harry Barrett said it showed what can be done if communities are supported to bring forward projects like this.

He has been approached by local salmon anglers about the decline in stock, saying a serious discussion is needed about dwindling salmon numbers in the county.

A conversation needs to happen around seals and netting in the open ocean, with radical solutions needed to address the problem.

Seconding the proposal for extending funding for Lough Carra, Councillor Cyril Burke said it was a fantastic project, with great buy-in from farmers and the community and they were now beginning to see the rewards.

There were others who would like to get into the scheme if there was a second phase, he added.

* Funded under the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme