Abstract
This article reports on the work of the Irish Char Conservation Group, a voluntary Non-Government Organisation set up in 2000 to promote the conservation of Arctic char Salvelinus alpinus in Ireland. The basic terms of reference of the group, its operations and achievements are outlined. Since 2001, the Irish Char Conservation Group has surveyed 47% of known Arctic char loughs in Ireland, updating records and recording previously undiscovered populations (n = 8). Research in partnership with other agencies is ongoing, providing information necessary for informed management decisions concerning the species. The group interfaces with the relevant statutory bodies in Ireland on a number of levels and endeavours to be as proactive as possible in facilitating research by collecting material and archiving samples for scientific research. The group interfaces with the public through a range of media in an effort to promote understanding amongst the general public of issues affecting Arctic char and its importance from biodiversity and heritage perspectives. In some instances, specific targeted campaigns have been carried out in an effort to address issues affecting Arctic char in particular loughs.
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Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Colin Adams for giving us the opportunity to present our experiences to a wider international audience. Other people who have helped in a significant manner providing training, advice and support along the way include Dr. Johan Hammar, Ron Greer, Prof. Peter Maitland, Fred Kircheis, Prof Michael Power, Dr. Paulo Prodöhl, Paul Mitchell, James Allison, Brian Beckett, Michael Fitzsimons, Kieran O’Byrne, David Stokes, Colin and Jane Byrne, John O’Neill and Andrew Long. Robert Rosell, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute Northern Ireland kindly provided information on Arctic char loughs in Northern Ireland. Eleanor Mayes and Dr. Ūna Fitzspatrick provided assistance with the presentation of data on Fig. 1. We wish to acknowledge the support of our volunteers who have endured much hardship during field sampling expeditions. We also would like to thank the various agencies and individuals who have either given us direct funding or assistance.
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Guest editors: C. Adams, E. Brännas, B. Dempson, R. Knudsen, I. McCarthy, M. Power & I. Winfield / Developments in the Biology, Ecology and Evolution of Charr
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Igoe, F., Neylon, S. & Kelly, M. Experiences of a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) dedicated to the conservation of Arctic char Salvelinus alpinus in Ireland. Hydrobiologia 650, 213–222 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-010-0229-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-010-0229-4