New App to Identify Invasive Species

A new smartphone app to help the aquaculture sector in\r\nIreland identify invasive alien species is being trialled for the first time in\r\nMulroy Bay, Co Donegal.

The app, developed by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), Ireland’s\r\nseafood development agency, helps users identify invasive alien species they\r\nshould remain alert to.

Catherine Morrison, sustainability and certification manager\r\nat BIM said, “Invasive alien species present a major threat to biodiversity\r\nloss. An important part of BIM’s role in developing the Irish aquaculture\r\nsector is to work with operators to minimise the environmental impact and\r\nimprove overall environmental performance of their operations. This app will\r\nhelp the aquaculture sector exchange information on any potential invasive\r\nalien species they encounter to help with their management.”

The app works by the user taking a photo of a suspected\r\ninvasive alien species they discover. The location and other coordinates are\r\ncaptured by the app and the information is then sent to BIM to investigate\r\nfurther and if confirmed, catalogue.

Grainne Devine, BIM and Arjan Gittenberger, GiMaRIS, a\r\nspecialist in ecological risk assessments, demonstrated the new app to father\r\nand son, Hugh and Johnny Wilhare, Mulroy Bay mussels, Cranford, Co Donegal who\r\nwill be piloting the technology.

“The aim of the new app is to help the aquaculture sector in\r\nIreland undertake more comprehensive risk assessments and to help strengthen\r\ntheir biosecurity plans,” said Ms Devine.

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The new app will be launched and available for download in\r\nSeptember 2019.

Source : World Fishing Aquaculture