#Angling - Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has today (Monday 4 July) published the indicative timetable for the review of the National Pike and Trout Policies.
Following the appointment of a Policy Review Group later this month, the review process will commence with a scoping consultation which will be open to all interested parties.
IFI says it has long recognised that public policy-making can be enhanced through the active involvement and contribution of all stakeholders and has set out how it will develop policies and consult with stakeholders in its IFI Procedure on Policy Development and IFI Stakeholder Consultation Policy.
It is expected that the updated National Pike and Trout Policy documents will be available a year from now in July 2017.
A policy group will be appointed shortly and will comprise of five IFI staff from the research, operations and business Development divisions.
“IFI is committed to consulting with stakeholders and the general public on matters of inland fisheries policy," said chief executive Dr Ciaran Byrne. "I expect the forthcoming scoping consultation process to gather useful information that will provide an evidence base for the update of the pike and trout policies in tandem.
“An agreed view from angler stakeholder groups would be most welcome and I urge the representative groups to work for such an outcome. I encourage all domestic and tourist anglers, tourism providers and the general public to provide their views on the important issues regarding the management of our important pike and trout species.”
The inland fisheries body acknowledges the upcoming protest being staged by pike interests and can confirm that no decision has been taken regarding the cessation or otherwise of pike management operations in designated trout waters for 2017.
IFI says it has accelerated the review of the policies and is working to ensure the completion of this exercise in as consultative way as possible that ensures all interested parties have input to policy formulation .
As advised previously, work continues within IFI regarding the examination of:
- The current stock management programme, including resource usage, fish transfer and health and safety.
- Marketing and socio-economic information to include actual and potential economic value.
- Scientific information to provide advice and to consider the scientific merits of the processes being currently undertaken.
The timeline for the review process is available to read or download HERE.
