Evidence for the Recent Extinctions of Two Arctic Charr Salvelinus alpinus (L.) Populations in the West of Ireland

Current and historical records of Arctic charr in lakes in the Lough Corrib and Lough Conn catchments in western Ireland were reviewed. The data indicate that the species has recently disappeared from Lough Conn, probably as a result of eutrophication, and also from Lough Corrib. The reason for the disappearance from Lough Corrib is unclear. Lough Mask in the Lough Corrib catchment may be the last large alkaline lake in Ireland that still supports the species. Present threats to the survival of Arctic charr in Irish lakes include nutrient enrichment, siltation of spawning beds caused by soil eroded from overgrazed sheep pasture land, and the introduction of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) and other species. Several conservation measures are proposed.