A survey of Lough Sheelin anglers has found that 94 per cent are now releasing more of the trout they catch back into Lough Sheelin than they did when they started fishing.

The Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) research involved 132 participants, and more than half of these had over 25 years’ experience fishing for wild brown trout in the lake, which borders counties Cavan, Meath and Westmeath and attracts anglers nationwide and internationally.

Catch-and-release methods ensure that trout stock have a greater chance of survival within the freshwater lake.

Dr Cathal Gallagher, head of research and development at IFI, said: “The trends, over the four decades studied in the research, were mostly positive regarding the abundance and size of trout in the lake and its ecosystem.

“Respondents commented they now believe the lake is currently fishing well.

“However, some expressed concerns about threats to Lough Sheelin’s trout stocks, including pollution, pressure from angling activity, poor water quality and protection of fish.

Shore angling at Lough Sheelin | Credit: IFI

“This research highlights the growth in awareness of fish conservation among anglers.

“Seasoned fishers on Lough Sheelin have a deep understanding of the lake’s surrounding ecology that’s been developed through long-term interactions with the natural environment.”

The research used a method developed by IFI called Fishers’ Local Ecological Knowledge Surveillance Indicators (FLEKSI).

It is designed to track environmental impacts and changes in fish stocks through local information sources by asking anglers about different aspects of the fishery now, compared to when they started fishing on the lake.

Engaging Ireland’s anglers as citizen scientists is now an important element of research programmes at IFI, Dr Gallagher said.

“Their very important contribution can help us to fill gaps in knowledge about the history of fisheries, and to develop sound, evidence-based management strategies,” he added.

Researchers at IFI have expressed their thanks to all local anglers who participated, and to the Lough Sheelin Trout Protection Association.

The survey findings are available to download HERE.

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has secured convictions against two men for illegal salmon angling on the River Slaney in Co Carlow.

The men were each charged with using an illegal method for salmon fishing and failing to produce a licence over the incident in the townland of Kildavin on 15 May 2023.

Dylan Byrne from Hacketstown, Co Carlow, was instructed to pay €700 in fines, and €500 in legal costs. He was also charged with obstruction or impediment of a fisheries officer.

Conor Kavanagh from Carnew, Co Wicklow was fined €350, and directed to pay €500 in legal costs.

The case was heard at Carlow District Court on 7 December 2023.

Commenting after the court verdict, Lynda Connor, South Eastern River Basin District director at IFI said: “The protection of the River Slaney is extremely important to sustain a viable population of wild salmon.

“Illegal angling puts further pressure on this exceptionally vulnerable fish. I commend our fisheries protection officers for their unwavering commitment in protecting this wonderful species.”

IFI encourages members of the public to report illegal fishing incidents, and those of water pollution, fish kills and habitat destruction, to its 24/7 phone number at 0818 34 74 24.

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has opened the first draw for anglers wishing to catch and keep salmon from Cork’s Lower River Lee.

‘Brown tag’ regulations come into force on the river from 1 Thursday 1 February and will remain in place until 30 September 2024 when the salmon fishing season ends.

Commenting on the requirements, Sean Long, South-Western River Basin District director at IFI said: “The numbers of wild Atlantic salmon returning to our rivers is declining. The risk of overfishing puts stocks in further jeopardy.

“Brown tag regulations for salmon and sea trout are required on the Lower River Lee to conserve stocks and avoid accidental over-harvesting.

“Where there is a modest harvestable surplus with a risk of over-exploitation, this brown gill tag system is introduced to closely monitor the angling quotas.”

Successful anglers who receive the tags, via a lottery system, place them on the fish, along with a blue tag as proof it was lawfully caught and may be retained for private use.

A total of 218 brown tags will be available. They will be distributed to anglers with a 2024 rod licence via four draws through the 2024 angling season.

Up to a quarter of the available number of brown tags can be issued at one time. Therefore, 55 brown tags will be selected through the first online lottery on Friday 26 January. Interested anglers can apply for the first draw between now and Wednesday 24 January only.

The measures are part of the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2023, recently signed into law by the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan.

Anglers not allocated a brown tag are permitted to fish for salmon on a catch-and-release basis on the Lower River Lee, where the salmon is returned safely to the same waterbody. 

Anglers must use catch-and-release methods only, involving single or double barbless hooks. Use of worms as bait is not permitted.

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has secured convictions against two men for an illegal netting incident in which three Atlantic salmon died.

The case was heard at Ennis District Court on Friday 27 October.

Tom Corry and Flan Considine, both from Clarecastle in Co Clare, were observed by IFI fisheries officers setting four illegal salmon nets across the River Fergus in Ennis on the night of 9 June this year.

IFI officers managed to release three salmon alive to the water, but three salmon were dead.

The court heard how, when apprehended, Corry and Considine were in possession of an illegally caught salmon. When IFI officers subsequently retrieved the nets that were set in the river, another five salmon were caught there.

Corry was fined €200 and Considine was fined €100. Both were ordered to pay costs of €615 each in relation to the offence.

During the investigation, IFI officers also seized a boat which was forfeited as a result of the conviction.

Commenting after the court verdict, David McInerney, Shannon River Basin District director at IFI said: “The River Fergus is closed to salmon fishing. Numbers in the river are significantly below levels required to sustain a healthy natural population.

“Illegal fishing is a serious environmental crime which has the capacity to threaten vulnerable salmon stocks.

“Any illegal fishing puts further pressure on a very important and iconic wild Irish fish. In 1971, a total of 1.2 million wild salmon returned to Ireland. Last year, that number was just 171,697 — representing a fall of 86 per cent.”

IFI encourages the public to report illegal fishing or angling incidents or those relating to water pollution, habitat destruction or fish kills to its 24/7 confidential phone number at 0818 34 74 24.

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has announced details of its €30,000 Sponsorship Programme for 2024.

The programme is one of the main funding mechanisms used by IFI to promote sustainable angling in Ireland.

IFI invested in 71 angling events and initiatives across Ireland in 2023, including national or international competitions and festivals, coaching and juvenile outreach events, public awareness events, supporting international teams competing overseas and other angling-related initiatives.

The fund will have a particular focus on promoting sustainable angling tourism in rural areas while also supporting initiatives aimed at beginners and young anglers.

Launching the 2024 call, IFI’s head of finance and corporate services Suzanne Campion said: “We have the unique opportunity through the IFI Sponsorship Programme to support a driver of rural economic growth, to assist those who wish to go fishing for the first time, and to highlight the importance of biodiversity, conservation and sustainable recreational fishing.

“Angling can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities, and one beginner’s fishing trip can turn into a lifetime recreational pursuit.”

Angling clubs, groups and associations nationwide are now invited to apply for sponsorship funding before the Friday 19 January deadline. Requests for equipment, staff support and biosecurity assistance can be made to IFI throughout the year.

Examples of teams, competitions and events that were awarded sponsorship by IFI in 2023 include:

• The National Junior Boat Fishing Competition, hosted by Newport Sea Angling Club in Mayo
• Lough Ree ‘King of the Lake’ International Pike Festival
• The World Feeder Club Championships at Lough Muckno, Co Monaghan
• Development days and coaching programmes held by fishing clubs nationwide
• The Rosslare Small Boats Festival in Wexford
• Irish youth international teams competing at Home Nations and World Championships in the Netherlands, Wales and Portugal

Over 327,000 adults in Ireland ‘go fishing’ (Ipsos/MRBI) while 18% of adults in Ireland that had never been fishing before said that they are “likely” to try angling in the future (Amárach Research).

Programme and application details are available on the IFI website HERE.

The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan has announced the appointment of a chairperson and eight board members to the board of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI).

Minister Ryan has made the following appointments to the board to commence their terms of office on 16 January 2024:

• Professor Tom Collins, Chairperson
• Maria Graham
• Jackie Maguire
• Raymond O’Dwyer
• Aebhín Cawley
• Jonathan Derham
• Karin Dubsky
• Paul Leo Connolly
• Lorraine O’Donnell (Staff Representative)

These board appointments were made pursuant to Section 12 of the Inland Fisheries Act 2010, in accordance with the Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards and the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.

IFI is the State agency responsible for the protection, management and conservation of Ireland's inland fisheries and sea angling resources. It was formed on 1 July 2010 following the amalgamation of the Central Fisheries Board and the seven Regional Fisheries Boards into a single agency.

Ireland has over 74,000 kilometres of rivers and streams and 128,000 hectares of lakes, all of which fall under the jurisdiction of IFI.

Speaking on Thursday 21 December, Minister Ryan said: “I am delighted to be in a position to appoint a full new board of Inland Fisheries Ireland — this, in conjunction with the recently completed Governance Review of the organisation, will make for a fresh start and new beginning for IFI to carry out its hugely important statutory functions.

“The new board members bring a wealth of expertise and experience to the table across a range of areas including governance, strategic planning, environmental protection, land use management, biodiversity, estuarine ecology, sustainable fishery management and conservation.

“In appointing Professor Tom Collins as the new chairperson of IFI, I wish to highlight his accomplished track record in chairing and leading multiple organisations across the public service for over 20 years. Prof Collins has developed extensive experience on matters pertaining to inland fisheries, including work on the conservation of Atlantic salmon which culminated in the banning of drift net fishing in Irish coastal waters and as chairperson of the Rural Water Monitoring Group and chairperson of An Fóram Uisce. Additionally, Prof Collins has been at the forefront in university governance contexts at chairperson level since 2013. I know he’ll do a great job and will be supported by a formidable board.”

Also on Thursday, Minister Ryan published the Governance Review of IFI carried out by EY, which was commissioned at the minister’s instruction by the Section 18 appointees (Tom Barry and Séamus Neely) carrying out the functions of IFI following the dissolution of the previous board earlier this year.

EY examined the governance arrangements and operations of IFI and the report includes recommendations on how to address a number of important issues. The recommendations therein will be considered by the new board with a view to implementation during 2024.

After their term expires on 15 January, Barry and Neely will take on new roles supporting the IFI board and executive in overseeing the implementation of the Governance Review recommendations.

Minister Ryan said: “The Governance Review will enable the new board to start with a clean slate, with clear understanding of the work for the year ahead. The new board will need to ensure that there continues to be a strong focus in the organisation on the conservation, protection and management of the inland fisheries resource as the core statutory function of IFI. Through continuing to focusing on this conservation imperative, we will enable an increase in healthy ecosystems for our fisheries to thrive again.

“It is important that I also place on record my gratitude to recognise the hard work and diligence of the staff who have continued to work hard in IFI during this uncertain time. It is also important that I thank the caretaker appointees, Mr Tom Barry and Mr Séamus Neely, who have led IFI through a challenging period and I know their commitment and duty of care to the organisation has not gone unrecognised both by IFI staff and my Department.”

The Governance Review of IFI is available on the website of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.

The tender process for Inland Fisheries Ireland’s (IFI) State fisheries for 2024 is now open.

State-owned fishing rights are made available for licence to interested angling clubs every year and IFI generally has licence agreements with over 50 fishing clubs, allowing them to fish on more than 90 fisheries where the rights are State-owned.

If your club wants to tender for one or more fisheries, you can apply online. Alternatively, download and fill out the Condition of Tender Questionnaire and return it to IFI by post; please mark your envelope TENDER APPLICATION and send it to: Paul O’Reilly, Business Development, Inland Fisheries Ireland, 3044 Lake Drive, Citywest, Dublin 24.

If your club is interested in a longer-term licence, please fill out the relevant section on your form and we will be in touch with you. Please tender the ‘per year’ licence fee.

Please also complete the End of Year Report in respect of each fishery held under licence last season if you have not already done so.

Tenders will be accepted up until Friday 19 January 2024; proof of postage on or before this date will be accepted.

If you have any queries relating to State Fisheries or the 2024 tender process, get in touch with Paul O’Reilly at [email protected].

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has published a first-ever book on aquatic plants, featuring 401 different Irish river, lake and pond plant species.

The 576-page Aquatic Plants in Ireland-A Photographic Guide identifies flora in freshwater habitats across the country — using concise text and more than 1,200 full-colour photographs and diagrams.

Dr Ronan Matson, co-author and research officer at IFI said: “Aquatic environments are particularly vulnerable to threats posed by biodiversity loss, climate change and the spread of invasive species.

“The first step in mitigating their impact is to accurately identify the species that exist within these fragile ecosystems.

“This comprehensive Irish aquatic plant encyclopaedia is unique. And in it the diversity of our lakes, reservoirs, ponds, canals, rivers, streams, ditches, bog pools and wetlands are more than matched by the diverse plant species that call these habitats home.”

Flowering rush along the margins of a pond | Credit: IFI

Aquatic Plants in Ireland-A Photographic Guide also includes a number of invasive alien plant species that are rapidly expanding their range in, and along, Ireland’s watercourses — and having serious adverse effects on native habitats and biodiversity.

The guide was funded by IFI with support from INVAS Biosecurity Ltd and compiled by three experienced Irish field ecologists: Prof Joe Caffrey, Dr Ronan Matson, and Dr Rossa Ó Briain.

Dr Matthew Jebb, director of the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland said: “This new book, at last, fills a genuine gap in the literature.

“It allows the specialist and non-specialist to identify practically every aquatic plant species that grows in, or alongside, Ireland’s freshwater habitats.”

The broad ecology of plant species is summarised, and maps also illustrate their national distribution.

The full-colour publication costs €40 for the softback edition and €70 for the hardback version, excluding postage.

Members of the public who would like to purchase Aquatic Plants in Ireland-A Photographic Guide can contact Dr Ronan Matson at [email protected].

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has welcomed the outcome of a case it brought against Uisce Éireann involving sewage pollution of the Cavan town river.

A fine of €2,000, plus costs and expenses of €3,197, were imposed at a hearing on the matter at Cavan District Court on Friday 1 December.

It comes after IFI had previously secured prosecution in October against the State water utility for pollution of the Ballinagh River in Co Cavan which killed 160 fish.

The court heard that in the wake of ongoing issues at the Uisce Éireann wastewater treatment plant at Ballinagh, senior IFI fisheries environmental officer Ailish Keane had taken samples for analysis following the pollution event in Cavan town on 3 February this year.

These test samples, taken downstream from the plant, showed high levels of pollutants, with large amounts of sewage fungus — bacteria, fungus and algae that reduce oxygen levels — visible on the bed of the river.

Commenting on the verdict, Dr Milton Matthews, director of IFI’s North-Western River Basin District said: “We welcome the outcome in this case. The presence of sewage fungus in the river is indicative of chronic organic pollution of the Cavan town river at this location, rather than an isolated incident — with significant impact on fish, invertebrates and all aquatic life in the river.

“There were significant breaches of the licence emission limits for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) — oxygen required to break down organic matter in the water — and high ammonia levels.

“Sample results taken at the location indicated that ammonia levels were over 115 times higher than permitted discharge limits, and eight times higher than permissible for BOD limits as stipulated for this treatment plant.”

The conviction was secured under Section 171 of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959 — legislation regarding protection of fishing waters from harmful pollutants.

Members of the public are encouraged to report instances of water pollution, illegal fishing, habitat destruction or fish kills to IFI’s confidential number at 0818 34 74 24.

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has welcomed the publication on Thursday (14 December) of the Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action’s Report on the examination of recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly report on biodiversity loss.

Speaking at Leinster House, IFI chief executive Francis O’Donnell said: “Inland Fisheries Ireland, as a key State environmental agency, is a major stakeholder in protecting and restoring biodiversity in Ireland’s freshwater and coastal waters.

“I welcome the report and its recommendations, and was pleased to provide oral testimony to the committee.

“IFI’s objectives are reflected closely in the committee’s own recommendations. We want additional powers and resourcing for enforcement officers. And we seek enhanced cross-collaboration between relevant State agencies to better respond to both wildlife and fisheries crime, and pollution incidents.”

O’Donnell continued: “Our call for a review of sanctions and penalties associated with breaking environmental laws is also echoed in this report.

“Separately, with the support of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, Inland Fisheries Ireland has developed a National Barriers Mitigation programme. This initiative will remove, where possible, and mitigate the environmental impact of river barriers for fish species.”

O’Donnell added that IFI “is committed to expanding our efforts to restore and protect our environment and enforce legislation where necessary, particularly where it can support the restoration of aquatic biodiversity”.