The ESB expects to be able to detect and eliminate any threat posed to its Longford power station by invasive clams.

An emergency team from Inland Fisheries Ireland(IFI) was dispatched to a stretch of the River Shannon at Lough Ree Power after the invasive Asian Clam (Corbilcula lumina) was discovered earlier this week.

On detecting the highly invasive clams, bosses at the IFI immediately banned fishing along the popular "hotwater" fishing stretch which is created by the power plant's cooling system.

The Asian Clam can swiftly spread to other water stretches on fishing equipment such as keep nets, landing nets, boats, rods and clothing. The fishing body took the decision to temporarily close the stretch to avoid its accidental spread.

IFI says it will reopen the fishing spot at the earliest opportunity, once bio-security measures for anglers can be introduced. The measures will include disinfection facilities for all angling equipment.

Aside from competing with other aquatic species, the clam's ability to reproduce at an alarming rate means it can also clog up water pipes, creating bio-fouling at power plants.

"We are aware of the potential impact of bio-fouling on power plant operations, and indeed there has been experiences in the past of fouling from Zebra mussels which can have an impact on plant efficiency," said an ESB spokeswoman.

Irish Independent