It's two years today since the major #eel kill occurred on the Lower River Shannon. Hundreds of dead and dying eels were present along the river downstream of the Ardnacrusha hydroelectric station after Storm Barra had passed on the morning of 8th December 2021. The storm created ideal conditions for the eels to run. However, @ESBGroup was abstracting 95% of the flow in the Lower River Shannon SAC at the time with no mitigation in place to stop critically endangered eels from entering the turbines. Eels are killed at this scheme every day, but most are never seen as they are either washed away, eaten by predators, or they die out at sea days later. The fact that so many were visible along the river on this day indicated that thousands had been killed. This was a wildlife crime and a fish kill. However, it was never investigated properly, and no action against ESB was taken. I offered to give a statement to @InlandFisherIE, but they never interviewed me. When I saw all these dead eels and was able to post the shocking videos and photos, I thought that this was the event that would finally change things. I was both saddened and angered to see the event downplayed by IFI, with no action being taken. During Storm Debi in November 2023, I showed how ESB was again not operating any mitigation for migrating eels and was diverting 97% of the flow in the SAC towards the unscreened turbines. The critically endangered European Eel urgently needs better protection. In 2007, the EU adopted the Eel Regulation. In response, Ireland banned traditional eel fishing in 2009 but has done little else to help the eel. Despite the Habitats Directive, Water Framework Directive, and Eel Regulation, ESB continues to manage the Lower River Shannon in the same way as in the 1930s.
An Amur tiger of the Russian Far East, caught on camera trap. Sent to me by my friend and hero, conservationist Victor Lukarevski, who continues to fight tirelessly for nature as we go about our daily lives.
Wishing you all a peaceful and restful festive season tweeps.
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There aren’t as many women in top tier esports because at every corner we are told we don’t belong. Every time you make a mistake or have a bad game it’s because “you’re a boosted egirl carried to your rank by your boyfriend” and oh boy do your teammates remind you of that