#ANGLING - Two Irish anglers were the top sea trout samplers for the Celtic Sea Trout Project in 2011.
Martin McKenny from the River Dee and Brian McShane from the Castletown River, plus several other Irish winners, will be presented with their valuable tackle voucher prizes by Minister Fergus O’Dowd at a Fisheries Awareness Week event on 20 May at the Ardboyne Hotel in Navan, Co. Meath.
Martin, who regularly fishes the Dee, provided the most sets of sea trout scales from fish he caught on rod and line in his favourite river.
In the runners-up spot was Brian McShane who also provided a large numbers of sets of scales from the beautiful Castletown River. Virtually all fish were returned alive after the small sample of scales had been taken.
Congratulating all the Irish winners, Minister O'Dowd said: "I commend these anglers and their efforts in supporting the Celtic Sea Trout Project. The success of the project is assured with such cooperation from the winning anglers and all participating anglers who have contributed so much to the project."
Since 2010 scales have been collected by anglers from sea trout from priority rivers which flow into the Irish and Celtic Seas in Ireland, Wales, Scotland, England and the Isle of Man.
The scales, which are like life history diaries, will provide scientists working on the Celtic Sea Trout Project with essential information on sea trout populations in the rivers sampled including their age, growth and how many times they have spawned.
The project, which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the Ireland Wales Territorial Co-operation Programme 2007-2013 (INTERREG 4A), aims to increase our understanding of sea trout, in order to manage them better and increase their contribution to local economies and the quality of life. Full details about the project can be found at www.celticseatrout.com.
Full list of winners in Ireland
Overall winner (covering anglers from Ireland, Wales Scotland, England/Isle of Man): Martin McKenny from the River Dee
Regional winners (1 of 4 Regions): Brian McShane of the Castletown
The following anglers names were drawn at random and have each won £100 (or equivalent value in €) in tackle vouchers (4 winners from 10 draws are from Ireland):
Andy Kelly of the Slaney
Martin McCarthy of the Argideen
Jimmy Condra of the Boyne
John Harmon of the Boyne
