The department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine were collecting eDNA samples at the main bridge in Monasterevin (Lat and Long: +53° 8′ 16.807″,-7° 4′ 0.160″ ING ref: Easting: 262509.43, Northing: 210094.81) accompanied by NPWS rangers. While taking the water samples they spotted one live but lethargic crayfish and one freshly dead crayfish – they collected and tested the freshly dead crayfish back at the lab. This one crayfish has tested positive for Crayfish plague with a CT value of 20, which is quite a strong positive.

This result would suggest that the presence of Crayfish plague has continued to spread over the past 12 months in the Barrow catchment. The most northerly confirmed area in the Barrow catchment that I am aware of was just north of Leighlinbridge –  this would have been confirmed about a year ago.

Also, in September 2017, GMIT were carrying out survey work in the Barrow catchment and only 12 crayfish were caught by sweep net at a site in Monasterevin, with a number of crayfish recordings at various sites further North of Leighlinbridge.

A year later, the presence of Crayfish plague has been confirmed at the same area in Monasterevin. Here is a link on google maps showing the Monasterevin site highlighted in yellow – https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?hl=en&mid=1SITlh5qZ19AWllJR7C0ls5BeriPqOcTx&ll=53.12410565595504%2C-7.066133056098124&z=12

Please remember to Check, Clean and Dry your gear when moving around the rivers of Ireland.