A NEW boat specially designed to combat curly-leaved waterweed on Lough Corrib was launched on the 54,000-acre trout and salmon lake yesterday.
The invasive weed, which originated in South Africa, is regarded as a major threat to Ireland's watercourses.It is regarded as potentially a more major threat than the zebra mussel.
The Western Regional Fisheries Board has spent €80,000 on the boat, which was specially designed and built in Italy for weed-cutting operations. The vessel was commissioned in a joint arrangement with the Central Fisheries Board and the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
The alien species was first detected on Lough Corrib, a premier trout and salmon lake, three years ago and since then it has spread rapidly. It grows extremely fast and completely overgrows native water plants.
Work to cut back the weed will continue throughout the summer.