#Angling - A total of 79 angling initiatives — almost double the number of recipients in 2016 — will be supported to the tune of €30,000 in Inland Fisheries Ireland’s (IFI) 2017 Sponsorship Scheme.
This year’s recipients were decided with a focus on those which help grow Ireland’s angling tourism product and support novice anglers:
- 19 international angling events which will be held in Ireland.
- 15 Irish angling teams travelling overseas to international angling events.
- 28 coaching/juvenile events aimed at novice and young anglers.
- 16 national angling events held in Ireland for domestic participants.
- 1 seminar which will help the exchange of information, ideas and practical experiences on fisheries management.
The angling groups, located in 19 counties across the country, will be supported through financial aid and where possible, through resource support from IFI staff.
The sponsorship scheme was announced in December with applications invited from anglers, angling clubs and organisations nationwide. In total, there were over 100 applications to this year’s fund.
Suzanne Campion, IFI head of business development, said: “We have a unique opportunity in Ireland when it comes to angling as a result of our beautiful landscapes and wild fish populations. This is coupled with a large number of engaged angling groups across the country.
“We are committed to supporting those groups in helping to increase participation in angling and to position Ireland as a premier national and international angling destination. This will grow the recreational availability and contribution of angling to communities across Ireland and will also support businesses and jobs in rural communities.”
IFI’s National Strategy for Angling Development aims to increase overseas angling visits from 163,000 in 2015 to 173,000 and increase domestic participation of 273,000 anglers annually by 0.5%.
Angling in Ireland is currently worth €836 million to Ireland’s economy annually, supporting upwards of 11,000 jobs. If increase in participation is realised, angling could bring in an additional €53 million annually and support 18,000 jobs.
Find more more information on the initiatives awarded funding under the 2017 sponsorship scheme HERE.
