Download Water Life of the River Suir Kids Brochure

Water Life of the River Suir
A story of a majestic river & its wildlife
This booklet
describes the
rich wildlife of the
River Suir and why it
is so special.
know?
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Biodiversity
What is Biodivers
ity? Biodiversity
is the
variety of life. Hu
mans are living cr
eatures
and together with
our farm animals,
pets and
wildlife make up th
e biodiversity on
this
planet. This biodive
rsity or variety in
cludes
the wide mixture
of plants, animals
,
an
d
micro-organisms (s
uch as bacteria or
bugs)
and even the plac
es or habitats in
which they
live. We need healt
hy ecosystems (v
ariety of
life and the places
where they live) to
supply
us with clean wate
r and air and usef
ul soil in
which we grow ou
r food.
The River Suir
The River Suir is
a very important
river for
Salmon and Brown
Trout fishing. It
is over
184km long and ris
es in the Devils Bi
t near the
Slieve Bloom moun
tains near Temple
more. The
river mostly flows
through County Ti
pperary
but also flows thro
ugh parts of Kilken
ny and
Waterford. It is
known as one of th
e three
sisters (Rivers Su
ir, Nore and Barr
ow).
Fishing traditions:
The River Suir ha
s a long
history of Salmon
and Trout angling,
commercial Salmon
fishing and Eel fis
hing.
Some of the large
st Salmon ever ca
ug
ht in
Ireland have come
from the River Su
ir. A
commercial way of
fishing called “sna
p net
fishing” has been
used for many ye
ars on the
river from Carric
k-on-Suir to Moo
nc
oin.
Boats known as “c
ots” are used. Th
e
snap net
is a type of net us
ed to surround th
e Salmon.
Normally two boat
s work together wi
th the
snap net.
Habitats on the River S
uir
To understand ho
w important the Ri
ver Suir
is for biodiversity
we must first unde
rstand
the different habi
tats that are foun
d along
the river as it ma
kes its journey to
the sea.
Rain collects into
small drains and st
reams
which flow into lar
ger streams and on
to the
main River Suir.
All of these wate
rcourses are habi
tats for
plants and animals
(such as frogs) an
d as they
grow in size they
become home to fis
h and
waterbirds. As th
ese tributaries be
come
even larger they
also become impo
rtant for
mammals such as
the Otter.
Word Search
Can you find the following words in the word search and in the
booklet?
redd, dace, kingfisher, stickleback, otter, snap net, perla,
blackfly, mink, pearl mussel, sisters, minnow, cots.
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Biodiversity of the River Suir
The River Suir provides a wide variety of habitats for Salmon and Trout and many other species.
This is true for under the water and along the river banks or riparian habitat. The riparian
habitat is the place where water and dry land meet and includes plants near the river bank such
as reeds but also trees and other plants growing along the river banks. A habitat not usually
thought of is the space or air over the river. Here aquatic insects, after leaving the water often
swarm to find a mate. These insects are important food for birds such as swallows and even bat
species such as the Daubenton Bat which can be seen flying and feeding over the river in the
evening.
In among the rushes and reeds other animals creep around. Water scorpions hunt their prey but
they too may be eaten by larger insects or fish. Crayfish search for food along the river bottom.
Invertebrates or insect larvae such as mayfly larvae feed on algae which grow on stones along on
the river bed. Cased caddisfly larvae feed on detritus (rotting plants and animals). Shrimps feed
on rotting leaves. Blackfly larvae which are often called “midges” filter feed on suspended
matter. Roaming around in search of food are larger insect larvae such as Perla larvae (a large
stonefly species), Dragonfly and Damselfly larvae. Further up the food chain fish feed on these
insects or invertebrates, sometimes themselves becoming food for Otters, Mink or birds such as
Kingfishers, Grey Herons and Cormorants.
Suir
Catchment
Map
FACT
A Pearl Mussel
can live to be 100 years old
Fish species of the River Suir
There are over 22 fish species in the freshwater part of the River Suir. Native species include Atlantic Salmon,
Brown Trout, Sea Lamprey, River Lamprey, Brook Lamprey, Twaite Shad, Smelt and Eel. Non-native introduced
species include Perch, Pike, Tench and Dace. Dace only appeared in the Suir in recent years. Some of the native
fish species are of international importance and the river is designated as a Special Area of Conservation to
ensure their protection. The further one travels to sea along the estuary the number of fish species increases
as marine species may also be present. It is thought that over 100 species can occur within the estuary.
The average
salmon lays about
9000 eggs in the River
Suir. That’s almost six
times the number of
babies born in South
Tipperary Hospital
each year!! Wow!!
Atlantic Salmon and Brown
Trout
The River Suir is important habitat for Atlantic
Salmon and Brown Trout and these two species
of fish are also important for fishing. The
habitat for Atlantic Salmon and Brown Trout
can be explained as three main types;
1. Spawning habitat:
Atlantic Salmon and Brown Trout both spawn in fast running water where there is
plenty of clean loose gravel. The male and female fish dig nests or “redds” in the
gravel to spawn. The female fish lays her eggs and the male fertilises them by
releasing milt. The eggs drop down into the spaces in the gravel, where they stay
until they hatch a few months later. The water flowing through the gravel spaces
brings oxygen to the eggs. The young fish normally hatch out in March or April
and remain in the spawning area. They feed on small aquatic animals such as
insects until they are ready to move downstream to the nursery habitat.
Spawning usually happens in the tributary streams, but on the River Suir it also
happens in the main channel.
2. Nursery habitat for young:
Nursery habitat for young Salmon and trout is normally downstream of spawning
habitat. The river is now wider with a slower flow of water. The young fish will
feed here for another year and then if they are trout may move further
downstream where they have more space and larger food. If they are Salmon
they will prepare for their journey to the sea. They change into smolts. They
become silvery in colour and are able to survive in saltwater as they make their
journey to the sea. Sometimes there can be a mixture of spawning and nursery
habitat in the same area.
3. Feeding habitat:
The main river channel and the larger tributaries such as the River Anner supply
the main feeding habitat for adult Brown Trout, where they feed and take
shelter. Adult Salmon which have returned from the sea will often rest in the
main channel. They don’t normally spawn until late in the year close to Christmas.
DID
YOU
KNOW!
The smelt is commonly known as the “Cucumber fish” as it smells like a cucumber when freshly caught.
But they go rotten quickly giving off a nasty horrid smell, hence their other name “the Stinker fish.”
Anybody for salad?...
Animals of the River Suir
DID YOU
KNOW...
The territory of
an Otter
can be up to
20km.
The River Suir is home to a large variety of animals. Fish and
aquatic invertebrates live in underwater habitats. Pond Skaters
live on the water. Otters and Mink live along the riparian
corridor and river banks. Many bird species live in trees and
bushes. Some animals such as Daubentons Bats and Swallows
even use the space over the water where they feed on insects.
Water birds such as Coots, Moorhens, Mallard Duck and Swans
nest where reeds and rushes are found on the river banks.
Did you know...
Birds of the River Suir
DID YOU KNOW...
That
That itit isis only
only the
the
female blackfly midge
The Suir is important for many different bird species, including
the Kingfisher, Greenland White-fronted Goose, Whooper Swan
and Golden Plover. The lower River Suir is used by populations of
migratory birds during the winter. Flocks can be seen along the
reedbeds and marsh areas of the Suir. Coolfinn marsh often has
large numbers of Greylag Geese. Other species occurring include
Teal, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Dunlin, Pochard, Wigeon, Pintail,
Little Grebe, Green Sandpiper Black-tailed Godwit, Lapwing,
Curlew, Redshank, Oystercatcher and Greenshank. Cabragh
marshes have large numbers of Mallard, Widgeon and Teal. Not
so common visitors such as Shoveler and Pintail can also be found
there. Kingfishers and Dippers are found along many tributaries
all over the area of the river. The River Suir catchment is also
home for Magpie, Rook, Jackdaw, Little Egret, Cormorant, Barn
Owl, Reed Buntings, Pheasant, Chaffinch, Grey Heron, Sparrow
Hawk, Goldfinch, Sand Martin, Greenfinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit
and Robin.
DID YOU
KNOW...
that you can get
badly burnt by
hogweed?
that
that sucks
sucks blood?
blood?
Ouch!!
Ouch!!
is a North African
The Little Egret
bird which recently
is a small white
colonised
the heron
River
Suir.
which recently colonised
the River Suir.
Alien species of the River Suir
Foreign species are known as non-native, exotic or alien species.
These species were usually brought in by accident, sometimes as
garden plants. Many non-native species introductions have
harmful effects on native species and the ecosystem of the River
Suir. For example, Himalayan Balsam, Giant Hogweed and
Japanese Knotweed compete with native bank vegetation
damaging banks. This results in increased erosion and siltation of
fish spawning beds. The recent introduction (illegal) of Dace to
the River Suir is a serious worry because they need similar
habitat to Brown Trout and compete with Brown Trout and young
Salmon for food and space.
River
Kingfisher
This sparrow sized
brightly coloured bird
feeds
mainly on fish.
Grey Heron
The grey colour and tallness of
the Grey Heron make it instantly
recognisable. It lives all year
round in Ireland. Herons will eat
fish, frogs, insects, small
mammals, snipe, ducklings and
tern chicks and other
small birds.
Twaite Shad
Pike
This predatory fish was
introduced to the River
Suir probably a few
hundred years ago.
Minnow
A small shoaling fish
species with a stripe
along its side. It was
probably introduced to
the River Suir as a bait
for angling.
The Lower River Suir is a Special
Area of Conservation for
Twaite Shad. The River Suir is
one of only four known spawning
sites for this fish in Ireland.
Spawning happens along an
approximately 2km long
stretch at Carrick-on-Suir.
Lamprey
The River Suir is a Special Area
of Conservation for three
species of Lamprey. This
prehistoric group of fishes are
becoming increasingly rare in
Europe. Every June from the
Gashouse Bridge in Clonmel, the
largest of the three species
Sea Lamprey can easily be seen
excavating their spawning beds
which has been an annual event
in the river since the end of
the Ice Age, about 20,000
years ago.
Atlantic
Salmon
See previous page
for details
Brown
Trout
See previous page
for details
Pearl Mussel
The Pearl Mussel is an endangered
species of freshwater mussel which at
one time was harvested in Ireland for
pearls. In the River Suir Pearl Mussels
have been found in the Clodiagh River
(from Portlaw to Clonea). There has not
been any reproduction for at least 30
years and if river conditions are not
improved the population will become
extinct.
Suir - above and below the water
Giant Hogweed
Giant Hogweed is originally from Asia
and is found mainly on river corridors.
The plant’s sap can cause terrible
burns. Giant Hogweed competes with
native plants and when it dies back in
winter this leads to increased erosion
of river banks and the silt can clog up
fish spawning beds. If you come
across giant hogweed please contact
the local authority and the
Fisheries Authority or ask
you parents to do so.
Otter
The Otter has become extinct
over much of Europe due to
habitat destruction and hunting,
so Ireland's Otter population is
of international importance.
Otters are playful creatures,
otter families can even be found
close to urban areas such as
Carrick-on-Suir.
European
Smelt
The River Suir is one of a few
places where an unusual estuarine
fish known as the European Smelt is
found therefore it is an important
habitat for this rare fish species.
They spawn around Carrick on Suir
but their exact spawning location
is a bit of a mystery.
Eel
Eels are found all over the River
Suir. A slimy snakelike fish with tiny
scales, the freshwater Eel is one of
the more unusual fish species on the
River Suir. They can spend up to
60 years in Irish freshwaters
before they travel to the Sargasso
Sea in the middle of the Atlantic
Ocean to spawn.
Dace
This fish is related to
Goldfish and has a distinctive
yellow eye. They were recently
introduced to the river at Carrickon-Suir. Numbers are growing fast
and scientists are worried that
this new species will have a
harmful effect on Brown
Trout and young Salmon.
Stickleback
Stickleback are small fish
sometimes referred to locally
as “breakeens” or “brickeens”. There
are two species, the nine-spined and
the three-spined stickleback. They
both build a nest out of plant
material where the male guards
the eggs from possible danger.
Crayfish
The Freshwater Whiteclawed Crayfish
is a small lobster like crustacean that
occurs in the lower part of the River Suir
where calcium levels in the water are high
enough to meet their needs. They can grow
to approximately 15cm in length and live up
to 10years old. They are omnivorous
creatures feeding on both plant (algae and
leaf litter) and animals (worms, small fish
and invertebrates) depending on how old
they are. They are important food for
Grey Herons and Otters.
Chinese Mitten Crab
This species was probably introduced to
Ireland through ship ballast water or
adult crabs clinging to ships. They hunt
and eat native species including
invertebrates and fish. They may have
harmful effects on the native White
Clawed Crayfish as well as
fish species such as the protected.
If there are many of them their
burrows may cause sinking of
river banks and flooding.
Can you find these words in the booklet? (Tick the circle when you have found them)
Algae
are a simple form of plant life. They can be made of one or more cells. Seaweeds are the largest forms.
Like land plants algae need sunlight to grow. They are "simple" plants because they do not have the many
different parts such as leaves and flowers which are found in land plants.
Angling
is a way of fishing which uses a hook. The hook is usually attached by a line to a fishing rod.
Biodiversity
is the variety of life forms within an ecosystem (See ecosystem explained below).
Commercial fishing is fishing to make money.
Crustacean
is an invertebrate animal with an external skeleton, for example, shrimp or crabs.
Designated
means chosen as a place where they must be protected.
Ecosystem
any group of living and nonliving things interacting with each other can be considered as an
ecosystem. They vary in size. They can be as small as a puddle or as large as the Earth itself.
Erosion
is the process by which the earth's surface is worn away by the action of water or wind.
Estuary
is the wide part of a river as it approaches the sea where fresh water and salt water mix.
Habitat
is a place or type of environment in which an organism or group of organisms normally lives.
Invertebrate
is a type of animal without an internal skeleton.
Micro-organism
a tiny living thing that can grow and live alone. It is only visible using a microscope.
Native
describes plants and animals that have always lived in an area.
Riparian corridor
is the river bank and its vegetation such as trees and rushes.
Siltation
occurs when soil in the water settles out on the stream or river bed.
Spawn
is the process of releasing large quantities of eggs in water.
Species
is a group of animals that only breed with each other.
Swarm
describes a large gathering of animals such as insects all moving together in the same direction.
Tributary
is a stream or river which flows into a larger river.
Watercourse
is any body of water. These include rivers, streams and drains.
Protecting the species
What the Fisheries Authority does:
• Tries to make sure that the valuable freshwater fish
resource and sea angling are being protected from harm,
managed and developed for fishing and protected for
people in the future.
• Tries to make sure that factories, farmers and lots of
other businesses work in a careful way so as to have as
little as possible harmful effects on the life in our rivers.
What you can do:
• If you live on a farm tell your parents about the
importance of riparian habitat along streams.
• Know where the drains, springs and streams are in
the area where you live.
• If you see anybody taking gravel from a stream or
river please phone the Fisheries Authority.
• If you are an angler or go angling make sure you
obey the law.
• Gives educational programmes for primary school children
(Information on the aquatic environment and fisheries
conservation) and adult interest groups.
• Do not litter watercourses or land near rivers.
• Enforces fisheries legislation (law) and conservation plans
to protect fish stocks from harm and for the future.
• Report any illegal fishing to the Fisheries Authority
or Gardai.
• Report any pollution to the Local Authority and the
Fisheries Authority.
Written and researched by Frank O’Donoghue and Dr. Fran Igoe.
Photographs of Riparian Reed Habitat, Twaite Shad, and Pearl Mussel by Dr. Fran Igoe. Photograph of Brook Lamprey by Andrew Long, RMT
Ltd. Photographs of Trout, Eel, Dace, Minnow and Salmonid habitats by Frank O’Donoghue. Photograph of Salmon Parr by Peter
Steenstra/USFWS. Photograph of Blackfly by James Lindsey at Ecology of Commanster. Photograph of Little Egret by J.M. Garg.
Photograph of Stickleback by Piet Spaans. Photograph of European Smelt by Thomas Pruss. Photographs of Riparian Woodland
with Salmonid Spawning and Nursery Habitat at Kilsheelan courtesy of Pat Neville, Coillte. Photograph of Chinese Mitten Crab courtesy of Alan
Cullagh. All other photographs by Eddie Dunne and John Murphy. Map of River Suir with animations by Andrew Crotty. Word search quiz by
Jason Moran. For assisting in reviewing the booklet prior to publication, a special thanks to teacher Noelle Lambert and pupils at Presentation
Primary School, and also to teacher Moira McCausland and 5th class pupils at St. Mary’s CBS, Clonmel.
AViD Graphic Design 061 328046
Inland Fisheries Ireland, Anglesea Street, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.
Phone: 052-6180055 (general) 052-6123624 (environment) Fax: 052-6123971
www.fisheriesireland.ie