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File photo of a white-clawed crayfish. PA

Investigation launched after 600 dead crayfish are found in Cavan

The impact of the likely cause could be “severe” and “irreversible”.

THE NATIONAL PARKS and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is investigating the cause of death of large numbers of freshwater crayfish in Co Cavan.

The group is working with Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) to find out why the kill occurred.

More than 600 dead white-clawed crayfish were found along a short stretch of the Bruskey River near Ballinagh.

Fish and other freshwater animals were not affected.

A statement released by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, which runs the NPWS, said preliminary results from DNA analysis indicate the cause of the kill is crayfish plague, a water-borne disease.

Investigations are being carried out to establish how the disease got to the Bruskey River and whether it has spread from the initial area of infection.

It appears that either the disease was accidentally introduced on contaminated equipment such as wet fishing gear or boots or boats used recently in affected waters in the UK or elsewhere. Alternatively, a non-native species may have been illegally introduced to the area and have passed the disease to the white-clawed crayfish.

The department said if the disease outbreak was accidentally introduced on contaminated equipment containment may be possible. However, if non-native crayfish have been introduced then the disease is likely to become “established with severe and probably irreversible ecological impact on freshwater fauna and flora”.

Advice for anglers 

The NPWS and IFI are asking anglers and members of the public to take precautionary measures to help stop the spread of the disease. People are asked to alert the authorities to any reports of mass mortalities of crayfish, sightings of unusual crayfish (such as those with red claws or large than normal) and in particular to dry or disinfect boots or angling equipment before moving from one water to another.

The department added that crayfish plague disease can be carried on wet equipment so all clothing and fishing gear that has been in freshwater must be treated with a disinfectant and then completely dried before moving to another area. This will avoid the accidental spread of the disease to other areas.

The white-clawed crayfish is the only freshwater crayfish species found in Ireland and is present in lakes, rivers and streams. The department said the species has been “decimated” in Europe by the impact of crayfish plague, which spread to the continent with the introduction of the North American species of the fish.

Until now, Ireland has been considered free of the disease and is the only European country without any established non-native crayfish species. Many American crayfish species are resistant to the plague.

Read: Irish Sea rescue after lobster boat carrying three men capsizes

Read: Freshly-caught fish gets its last revenge on unsuspecting little boy

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    Mute Paddy Dunne11
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    Apr 28th 2017, 7:34 AM

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    Mute YouHaveGotToBeJoking
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    Apr 28th 2017, 8:12 AM

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    Mute Eimear
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    Apr 28th 2017, 7:58 AM

    Succchhh property porn.

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    Mute SkylineSi
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    Apr 28th 2017, 9:23 AM

    Looks amazing. I believe that was my great grandparent’s family home way back.

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    Mute Dub_Right
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    Apr 28th 2017, 12:19 PM

    Thanks for the dream Journal.ie!

    A home now for the 1% ‘ers only!

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    Mute YouHaveGotToBeJoking
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    Apr 28th 2017, 2:05 PM

    @Dub_Right: Only a €240,000 deposit and your sorted! As long as your earning over €600,000 a year to get the mortgage for it!!!!!!

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    Mute Ciaran Whyte
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    Apr 28th 2017, 4:29 PM

    @Dub_Right: the 1% of the 1%ers

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    Mute Donal Proctor
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    Apr 30th 2017, 9:39 AM

    @Dub_Right: Walking around some of neighborhood houses in Dalkey and Killiney you help but feel that little chip of jealousy with the knowledge you wouldn’t even be able to afford the heating bill. How id to love to be rich

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    Mute Phyl Walsh
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    Apr 29th 2017, 12:23 PM

    Since when did Killiney Road become Dalkey?

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    Mute Donal Proctor
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    Apr 30th 2017, 9:27 AM

    @Phyl Walsh: I know its right beside killiney castle too. No need to reemphasise the work Killiney

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    Mute Chef Harold
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    Apr 30th 2017, 10:37 AM

    @Phyl Walsh: One side is Dalkey, the other Killiney according to eircode

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    Mute Donal Proctor
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    Apr 30th 2017, 11:11 AM

    @Chef Harold: https://www.townlands.ie/dublin/rathdown/dalkey/dalkey/#map your right its a little confusing

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    Mute Donal Proctor
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    Apr 30th 2017, 9:10 AM

    Clonlost. Used be own by the Legionaires of Christ. They used to run a youth club for boys 11 to 14 years old from tgat house. Its 3 storeys from memory when you include the basement. Used to run activities for movie making, disk jockeying, sports, outdoor activities. Needless to say I left because it became quite religious plus there as no birds allowed. The priests and brothers were sound though with no funny business if you get my meaning. That was 25 years ago. Weird, cant imagine parents allowing their kids to join a club like that anymore. Refurbished house looks great by the way.

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    Mute Ryan Comiskey
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    Apr 30th 2017, 3:00 PM

    Nice – pity it’s in Dalkey.

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