Discovery of exotic fish related to piranha in Irish lake raises concerns

The Irish Fisheries and IFI (Inland Fisheries Ireland) have issued a call for public vigilance after an angler discovered the remains of fish suspected to be related to a piranha in an Irish lake.

The discovery of a 2kg suspected Pacu fish in Garadice lake, Leitrim, has raised concerns about the potential threat posed by non-native species to Ireland's aquatic ecosystems.

The omnivorous South American fish are not native to Irish waters, and their introduction can have adverse effects on the local fish and plant life.

The IFI is actively investigating the discovery, with a focus on determining the origin of the fish and how it made its way into Garadice lake.

The public is urged to report any sightings of exotic fish or plants in Irish waterways to the IFI through their confidential hotline at 0818 34 74 24.

A spokesperson for Inland Fisheries has said: "IFI is to examine remains of 2kg suspected Pacu fish," adding, "non-native species adversely impact our Irish fish/flora."

They also stated: "[The] origin of fish and how it got into the lake is unknown at this stage."