A number of barriers to migrating fish are to be dismantled along the Ward river and a ‘fish bypass’ is to be installed at the Arches near Ushers Lake, the Fingal Biodiversity Forum has heard.
A study of fish along the Ward found that a number of barriers have badly impacted the ability of salmon and trout to migrate upstreat, with the Arches at Ushers Lake the greatest blockage.
With a view to rebuilding fish numbers along the river, Inland Fisheries Ireland and Fingal County Council, will carry out works this year.
These involve the replacement of two weirs at the Balheary playing pitches and a new access stream for fish to migrate around the Arches.
The weirs in Balheary will be replaced with a series of steps that will allow fish to navigate through the system and breed further upstream.
Cllr Ian Carey said:
“It’s incredible that we have a salmonoid river right thorugh the centre of Swords and we need to work a lot harder to protect it. It was great to get an update on works ongoing at the first meeting of the Fingal Biodiversity Forum. The forum is part of the new Fingal Biodiversity Action Plan which aims halt the loss of biodiversity and restore habitats in the county between now and 2030. It is made up of elected members and NGO representatives and will aim to complete over 100 actions in the coming years. Two key elements of the plan from a Swords perspective is the Ward River Valley Biodiversity Masterplan, this work forming part of that, and the plans to protect and enhance the Broadmeadown Estuary. Both of which are prioritised and will be completed in the first four years of the plan.”
