The Central Fisheries Board is to step up its attempts to protect Lough Corrib and the Grand Canal from invasive species, which are threatening to choke them.
The EU has given €1.5m for the work.
Invasive species such as lagarosiphon and zebra mussels have become a huge threat to major Irish marine areas.
They damage or kill native species, transforming habitats with an effect on fish, marine and wildlife and threatening whole ecosystems with potentially major damage to the environment.
Lough Corrib and the Grand Canal Corridor and along the Barrow are considered to be under particular threat.
The CFB says that it will be stepping up its campaign with the aid of the financial support from the EU Life Programme.
Senior Research Scientist Dr Joe Caffrey, who heads up the invasive species team with the CFB, said that more funding and resources will be required to manage and control what is a pernicious and increasing threat.
An education programme to make the public aware of the dangers, such as from bringing in foreign plants, is also to be launched.
