Muckanagh_mini_report_2009 - Inland Fisheries Ireland

The Central and Regional Fisheries BoardsTable 1.3. Mean (±SE) perch length at age for Muckanagh Lough, September 2009L 1Mean 6.0 (0.3)N 3Range 5.7-6.6Table 1.4. Mean (±SE) rudd length at age for Muckanagh Lough, September 2009L 1 L 2 L 3 L 4Mean 2.9 (0.2) 6.8 (0.4) 11.7 (0.5) 16.0 (0.7)N 14 14 13 7Range 2.0-4.6 4.9-10.3 9.0-16.0 12.8-19.01.4 SummaryPerch was the dominant species in terms of abundance (CPUE) and pike was the dominant species interms of biomass (BPUE) captured in the survey gill nets.The mean perch CPUE in Muckanagh Lough was significantly lower than Dromore Lough andInchicronan Lough; however, there were no other statistically significant differences between theother lakes included in the statistical comparison. Two age classes were present, 0+ and 1+,indicating reproductive success in each of the previous two years.Classification and assigning lakes with an ecological status is a critical part of the WFD monitoringprogramme. It allows River Basin District managers to identify and prioritise lakes that currently fallshort of the minimum “Good Ecological Status” that is required by 2015 if Ireland is not to incurpenalties.A WFD multimetric fish classification tool has been developed for the island of Ireland (Ecoregion17) using CFB and Agri-Food and Biosciences Northern Ireland (AFBINI) data generated during theNSSHARE Fish in Lakes project (Kelly et al., 2008). Using this tool, Muckanagh Lough has beenassigned an ecological status classification of Moderate based on the fish populations present.The EPA has assigned an overall status of Moderate to Muckanagh Lough in an interim draftclassification. This is based on physico-chemical parameters and biotic elements such asmacroinvertebrates, macrophytes and fish.1.5 ReferencesKelly, F.L., Harrison, A., Connor, L., Allen, M., Rosell, R. and Champ, T. (2008) FISH IN LAKESTask 6.9: Classification tool for Fish in Lakes. FINAL REPORT. Central Fisheries Board,NSSHARE project.7