Invasive species app trialled in Irish aquaculture sector
A new smartphone app to help the aquaculture sector in Ireland identify invasive alien species is being trialled for the first time this week in Mulroy Bay, County Donegal.
The app, developed by Ireland’s seafood development agency Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), helps users identify and learn about invasive alien species they should remain alert to.
An alien species is defined as any living specimen introduced outside its natural range. An invasive alien species is one whose introduction or spread may threaten or adversely impact on the biodiversity and related ecosystem of a given area.
Major threat
BIM sustainability and certification manager Catherine Morrison said: “Invasive alien species present a major threat to biodiversity loss.
“An important part of BIM’s role in developing the Irish aquaculture sector is to work with operators to minimise the environmental impact and improve overall environmental performance of their operations.
“This app will help the aquaculture sector exchange information on any potential invasive alien species they encounter to help with their management.”
Photo of suspect species
The app works by the user taking a photo of a suspected invasive alien species they discover. The location and other coordinates are captured by the app and the information is then sent to BIM to investigate further and if confirmed, catalogue.
BIM’s Grainne Devine, BIM and Arjan Gittenberger, a specialist in ecological risk assessments from Dutch monitoring experts GiMaRIS, demonstrated the new app to father and son, Hugh and Johnny Wilhare, of Mulroy Bay Mussels in Cranford, Co Donegal.
The Wilhare family are among the first members of the Irish aquaculture sector to test out the new app during its initial pilot phase. The mussel producers have been growing rope-grown mussels in Mulroy Bay for more than 30 years.
The new app will be launched and available for download in September.
