Call for LIFE project on Mayo lake to be renewed
Cllr Al McDonnell says the sighting of the mayfly on Lough Carra after 20 years show project must not end in 2027
Mayo councillors have called for a renewal of an environmental scheme on Lough Carra after it emerged that the mayfly appeared for the first time in 20 years.
The Lough Carra LIFE project which aimed to improve water quality and habitat around the central Mayo lake comes to a conclusion at the end of 2026 with uncertainty on whether the project will be continued.
The five-year project which was launched in 2021 and had a €5 million budget was considered a success environmentally with recent sightings of the mayfly on the lake for the first time in two decades.
The aim of the project was to restore the Marl Lake habitat of Lough Carra and raise the conservation status of other habitats and species within the catchment. Measures were taken throughout the catchment area to reduce losses of nutrients and protect semi-natural habitats, by working with farmers and other stakeholders to change practices that are sources of pollution and biodiversity-loss.
Local councillor Al McDonnell told the monthly meeting of the Castlebar Municipal District that he was looking for support for a new scheme to succeed the LIFE project.
“There has been an extraordinary amount of co-operation between all the stakeholders in relation to the slight change of behaviour which is all that was required. It appears that there is some improvement already. There is no point in the LIFE project ending in 2027, there has to be a follow on project,” he said.
The Carnacon-based councillor who is a keen angler added that he recently met with Christopher O'Sullivan, the Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, who advised him to lobby ministers for funding to be allocated for a new project.
“He said to invite all political friends of all persuasions to put pressure on all the various ministers to have additional funding provided for a post LIFE project and I would like your support on that,” he asked his fellow councillors.
There was unanimous support for a new project by the other Castlebar councillors who lauded the success of the Lough Carra project.
Fine Gael councillor Cyril Burke said there was great buy-in from farmers and the community towards the project and he knew of more who would get involved if there is a second phase. He pledged his support from the Fine Gael side to push for a new project.
Independent councillor Harry Barrett commended Cllr McDonnell on the work he has done on the Lough Carra project and it was fantastic to see life come to the lake again. He added that the project showed what can be done environmentally when communities are supported.
The Castlebar-based councillor also highlighted the decline in the stocks of salmon in rivers around Castlebar and felt that 'radical solutions' are needed to 'deal with this huge environmental problem'.
Cllr McDonnell thanked the councillors for their support while also praising the environment section of Mayo County Council who he said played a major role in its success.