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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? Did you ppily e will ha t a pik the now tha k u o y third of e n Did o r e h of ov imagine eat a fis Can you ? t h ig e nw burgers ounder pike’s ow p r e t r a 00 qu !!! eating 1 eal? Ugh in one m 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. p e r l a d b m i n n o w m w f q r t l a r s g t p a r k h o a a r b i u t e t t i u r c c h u s p e a s n n i e u k b l t l r r d c g n d t f u t e c r l a h f o d s l g c r e v m c u i r g c y d u s b u u e o s n a p n e t b d o s f e h c f g t g n s o s s n a e z m i n k c o t s e j v r e a y g e t r f t l s t i c k l e b a c k i y 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