Large Hydro-electric schemes exist on some of the largest rivers in Ireland for example the Rivers Shannon, Lee and Erne. Large hydro-electric schemes are also operational on the River Liffey and the Clady/Crolly Rivers. All of these schemes are currently operated by the Electricity Supply Board (ESB).
ECOFACT has been involved with a number of fisheries management programmes in all the above catchments. On the River Shannon we have undertaken catchment wide surveys of juvenile salmon and completed both downstream smolt census studies and assessments of upstream migrations of adult salmon through the dams at Parteen at Ardnacrusha.
We have also been involved with the operation of the salmon hatchery at Parteen and the management of the salmon fishery at Castleconnell.
We have also been extensively involved with Eel management on the Lower Shannon.
We are also currently managing the Old River Shannon Research Group, a group that was set up to research and raise awarness about issues affecting the Old River Shannon, and the changes that have occured on the waterbody in the first century since the Shannon Scheme. This group aims to reseach and raise awarness about issues affecting the Old River Shannon, in the interests of future sutainable management of this internationally important waterbody, and to assess if current management of the waterbody is compliant with the Habitats Directive, Waterframework Directive and in the interests of catchment residents and user groups.
For further information on the extensive services and capabilities we have please contact us.
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) published new guidance in January 2019 for bats surveys at wind farm sites. These new guidelines are entitled “Bats and onshore wind turbines – survey, assessment and mitigation”. The document incorporates findings from the latest research on the impact of wind farms on bats. It is endorsed by all the statutory […]
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We are one of the leading companies in Ireland providing mammal surveys and assessments. We provide expert advise on both bats and terrestrial non-volant (i.e. non-flying) mammals. We undertake surveys for all terrestrial non-volant mammal species in Ireland, including Badger, Otter, Red Squirrel, Pine Marten, and non-native American Mink, among others. Our staff are fully […]
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We were delighted to work recently with BBC Earth on a documentary on Sea Lampreys Petromyzon marinus. The filming took place during early-June 2017 on the old River Shannon at Castleconnell, Co Limerick. This is part of the Lower River Shannon Special Area of Conservation, and Sea Lampreys are a key conservation interest of this […]
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A major new book will be published in May 2017 entitled ‘Wildlife and Wind Farms: Conflicts and Solutions’. Volume 1 of this book includes a chapter prepared by Ecofact Principal Ecologist Dr. William O’Connor. The two-volume set provides a comprehensive overview of the interactions between wind farms and wildlife, each volume dedicated to one of the two […]
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Our staff are currently undertaking a number of wintering bird surveys in the Irish Midlands. Here we have provided some photos and videos from bird surveys we undertook during December 2015. Our bird surveys are undertaken to inform both the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Natura Impact Statement (NIS) reports being prepared for proposed wind energy […]
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