Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 December 2025
352. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to detail the relevant agencies and local angling stakeholders the National Parks and Wildlife Service engaged with to prevent the introduction of the invasive demon shrimp (dikerogammarus haemobaphes) into Lough Corrib SAC, considering that the species has now been found in Portumna, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68969/25]
View answerDemon Shrimp (Dikerogammarus haemobaphes) was first detected on 30 September 2025 in the Shannon River below Lough Derg. Its pathway of arrival is unknown, but it is likely to have hitchhiked on watercraft or angling equipment.
A species alert, urging water users to employ strict biosecurity measures, through the Check Clean Dry protocol, was issued and widely circulated by the National Biodiversity Data Centre to Government departments and agencies, stakeholders, and the general public. This alert is available to view on www.invasives.ie. I have also attached a copy of the alert for convenience.
Furthermore, Waterways Ireland has commissioned assessment surveys of Lough Derg and Lough Ree to check for presence of demon shrimp. The Marine Institute has been commissioned to carry out eDNA analysis to test water samples taken from various sites in and outside of the Shannon catchment for the presence of demon shrimp via their DNA.
All water users following the Check Clean Dry protocol provides the best opportunity to reduce the risk of this and other invasive species spreading to new sites. NPWS and the NBDC continue to raise awareness around Check Clean Dry through species alerts, via social media channels, and with angling representative groups.
The discovery of this species in Ireland highlights how critical it is that all water users practice Check Clean Dry to help prevent the spread of invasive species and help protect our waterways.
