#Jobs - Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is recruiting for the position of River Basin District Director.

This post will be based in Macroom, Co Cork and the successful candidate will be responsible for the management of IFI’s operations in the South Western River Basin District.

In addition, the person appointed will be an integral member of a dynamic operational team charged with the national delivery of IFI’s operational remit. He or she will report to the head of operations.

The successful candidate will be required to reside in the district in which these duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof.

The successful candidate will:

• Have a proven track record managing a large diverse employee base at multi-site locations.
• Be able to demonstrate the ability to communicate at all levels within the organisation and also with external stakeholder parties.
• Have a proven track record in financial planning, budget preparation and asset management, together with business planning, problem-solving, and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Have experience operating at middle to senior management level in either the public or private sectors.

There will be a requirement for occasional travel nationwide. An in-depth knowledge of inland fisheries is not an absolute requirement.

Salary scale: minimum €67,434 to maximum €83,510 including two LSIs. (Appointment will normally be made at the first point on this scale.)

Please note that applicants will be shortlisted for interview on the basis of information supplied in their cover letter and CV.

Applications should be emailed to [email protected] or forwarded to: HR Department, Inland Fisheries Ireland, 3044 Lake Drive, Citywest Business Campus, Dublin 24.

The closing date for receipt of applications is 12 noon on Friday 18 December 2015. Canvassing will disqualify. Inland Fisheries Ireland is an equal opportunities employer.

At a sitting of Fermoy District Court on 16th October 2015, Judge Brian Sheridan prosecuted three men who had pleaded guilty to a number of offences following an incident that occurred on the upper River Aherlow near Anglesborough, Co. Limerick on the 20th November 2014.

On that date, Fishery Officers from Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) were undertaking a night time patrol of the river Aherlow during the salmon spawning season. During the investigation, an incident developed which resulted in one Fishery Officer being assaulted and struck with a handle of a shovel. Other Fishery Officers were subjected to threats of violence and abusive language.

Mr Patrick Sheehan Junior, Galbally, Co. Limerick was prosecuted for assaulting, obstructing and refusing to give his name to Fishery Officers. Mr Patrick Sheehan Senior, Ballylanders, Co. Limerick was prosecuted for possession of a lamp on a spawning stream, obstructing and refusing to give his name to Fishery Officers. Mr Richard Childs, Galbally, Co. Limerick was prosecuted for obstructing Fishery Officers.

Judge Brian Sheridan imposed the following penalties: Patrick Sheehan Junior was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for two years on the defendant signing a bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for the said period of two years. He was also fined €500 in addition to legal costs of €630. Patrick Sheehan Senior was fined €500 in addition to legal costs of €630. Mr. Richard Childs was fined €250 in addition to legal costs of €630.

“This is not just about the fish”, stated IFI CEO Dr Ciaran Byrne, “it is about protecting over 3000 Irish jobs that rely on our endangered salmon stocks and also ensuring the safety of IFI staff who work to protect and conserve this valuable natural resource for the benefit of rural communities throughout Ireland, including the Aherlow river.”

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has a confidential hotline number to enable members of the general public to report incidents - 1890 34 74 24 or 1890 FISH 24. This phone line is designed to encourage the reporting of incidents of illegal fishing, water pollution and invasive species.

At a sitting of Fermoy District Court on 25th September 2015, Judge Brian Sheridan convicted excavator operator, Mr Tom Luddy of Castlequarter, Kilbehenny, Co. Limerick, under Section 173 (1)(c) & 173 (1)(d) of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959, relating to the removal of riverbed material from the River Funshion on the Cork / Limerick border.

Judge Sheridan imposed a three-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years with a bond of €500 paid by the defendant, additionally imposing a €100 fine and awarding Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) €2,000 towards its costs in the case.

The case related to works carried out during September 2014 which entailed the removal of riverbed material along a continuous excavation of 200 metres of river channel. The case was initially heard at a previous court sitting on 26th June at which the defendant entered a guilty plea on two charges.

IFI gave evidence of its observations of damage to the fisheries resource backed by photographic records of the site which depicted large stockpiles of river gravel in a continuous berm adjacent to the affected river. IFI also noted in its evidence, the defendant’s readiness to co-operate in the planning of remedial works. The defendant then signed a written undertaking to the court that remedial works would be carried out to the satisfaction of IFI, with the case then adjourned to allow for the works to be completed.

At the hearing on 25th September, IFI confirmed that the remedial works had been completed to its satisfaction, with full co-operation from the defendant, and also acknowledged the assertion made by the defence that the remedial works had been a substantial undertaking, stated as costing upwards of €3,000. Judge Sheridan remarked that the initial damaging works would also have been expensive and that he wished to send a message regarding such activity before imposing sentence.

Dr Ciaran Byrne, CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland, commented: “The affected area of the Funshion River is an important salmon and brown trout nursery and spawning area within the Munster Blackwater River catchment. The serious destruction of fisheries habitat which took place is an environmental crime. Such practices impact stocks of fish and, ultimately, the potential of our wonderful natural resource to contribute environmentally, economically and socially to this particular rural area and the wider Blackwater catchment downstream.”

Recent estimates of the economic contribution of brown trout angling, and salmon and sea trout angling to Ireland’s economy are €148 million and €210 million respectively, supporting 5,088 jobs primarily in rural and peripheral locations.

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has a confidential hotline number to enable members of the general public to report incidents - 1890 34 74 24 or 1890 FISH 24. This phone line is designed to encourage the reporting of incidents of illegal fishing, water pollution and invasive species.

#Angling - Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) recently welcomed a visit from Dr Jed Wright of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, who is an expert in habitat assessment, protection and restoration programmes for Atlantic salmon in the Gulf of Maine.

During this visit, Dr Wright spent a day viewing weirs on the Rivers Nore and Slaney and was impressed by the "innovative" fish passage techniques used to support fish migration efforts over a number of these structures.

Following this, Dr Wright gave two informal talks dealing with riverine habitat restoration and barriers assessment in Maine.

Dr Cathal Gallagher, head of research and development with Inland Fisheries Ireland, said IFI "welcomed this important opportunity to share expertise in riverine and habitat restoration techniques. 

"It is important that Ireland shares expertise in dealing with complex and difficult issues associated with restoration of damaged rivers and habitat. This is of particular importance when addressing Ireland’s commitments under the Water Framework Directive.”

#Angling - The 2015 Salmon Conservation Fund (SCF) and Midland Fisheries Fund (MFF) are now open for applications, Minister Joe McHugh has announced yesterday (Wednesday 15 April).

In total, €240,000 is available to conserve and develop the inland fisheries resource from funds generated through the sale of salmon licences and Midland Fisheries Area permits.

The schemes administered by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IF) will facilitate clubs, fishery owners, commercial salmon fishers and other organisations to undertake works to improve habitat, stocks, access, invasive species management and angling, under the supervision and direction of IFI.

The works undertaken are important in maintaining and improving capacity within the inland fisheries resource, which is estimated to contribute €755 million annually to the Irish economy.

Announcing the schemes, Minister McHugh said: “I am pleased to be able to support IFI in making these funds available to fisheries interests to allow for ground-up, managed sustainable development of the inland fisheries resources.

"Some wonderful projects have been supported since these funds have been established and I encourage all those interested in fisheries to investigate the possibilities under the various schemes to conserve, develop and promote their local fisheries.” 

The Salmon Conservation Scheme has been in existence for eight years and has allocated funding to 184 salmon projects all around Ireland. €200,000 is available for distribution under this scheme in 2015.

The Midland Fisheries Fund, which is now beginning its third year, has seen 17 projects undertaken in the midlands area developing angling resources, supporting scientific research and conserving fisheries habitat. A further €40,000 is available under this scheme for 2015.

Full details and application forms are available on the Midland Fisheries Fund HERE.

#inlandfisheries - Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Joe McHugh TD, announced today that the Government had noted the decision to appoint Dr Frances Lucy to the Board of Inland Fisheries Ireland for a period of five years. This appointment was made having regard to advice received from the Joint Oireachtas Committee (JOC) on Transport and Communications in accordance with Sections 12 (1) (b) and 12 (3) of the Inland Fisheries Act, 2010.

In welcoming the appointment of Dr Lucy, Minister of State McHugh said "Dr Lucy brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the Board of Inland Fisheries Ireland, particularly in the areas of fisheries conservation and aquatic invasive species research. I wish Dr Lucy well in her role as a board member"

This appointment will mean that all ten Inland Fisheries Ireland board positions are now filled.

Dr Frances Lucy is a lecturer in Environmental Science in the Institute of Technology, Sligo (1992 to present), lecturing on water quality, freshwater ecology, invasive species, fisheries management and conservation management. Dr Lucy previously served on the Board of Inland Fisheries Ireland from 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2013.

Inland Fisheries Ireland Board Members at 24 March 2015

#IFI - Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has today launched a public consultation in preparation for the development of a new five-year corporate plan.

Interested parties are being invited to submit observations on what should be included in the plan which will run from 2015 to 2020.

IFI was established under the Inland Fisheries Act of 2010, and under Section 41 of the Act it is required to prepare, adopt and submit for approval to the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources a five-year rolling corporate plan.

IFI’s current corporate plan covers the period 2011 to 2015 and is available on the IFI website HERE.


The principal functions of IFI are set out under Section 7(1) of the Act and these are the protection, management, and conservation of the inland fisheries resource. The general functions of the agency are:

• To promote, support, facilitate, and advise the Minister on the conservation, protection, management, marketing, development and improvement of inland fisheries, including sea angling.
• Develop and advise the minister on policy and national strategies relating to inland fisheries including sea angling and,
• Ensure implementation and delivery of policy and strategies developed under subsection (b) as agreed with the minister.

Observations on what should be included in the new plan can be made to Emma Fortune, IFI Headquarters, 3044 Lake Drive, City West, Dublin 24 or by [email protected].

The deadline for receipt of observations is Friday 10 April 2015.

#Fishing - Inland Fisheries Ireland is inviting applications for commercial fishing licences for salmon (both draft net and snap net) for 2015.

Application forms are available from local IFI offices in Macroom, Limerick, Galway, Ballina and Ballyshannon as listed HERE.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications to the relevant IFI office is 5pm on Monday 23 March. None will be accepted after this date.

#Jobs - Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is currently seeking to recruit a number of staff as Fishery Officers nationally for periods of up to a maximum of six months duration during 2015, and will shortly commence a process to fill these positions.

The Fishery Officer will be primarily concerned with the implementation and enforcement of the provision of the Fisheries Acts, Water Pollution Acts and other relevant statutory provisions. He or she is required to:

• Provide, in co-operation with other fisheries staff, comprehensive conservation and protection services, inland and at sea, within any part of a fisheries district and/or any other area assigned within one or more fisheries districts.
• Provide, in co-operation with other fisheries staff, comprehensive improvement, and development and fisheries management support services within any part of a fisheries district and/or any other area assigned within one or more fisheries districts.

A number of positions will be concerned with assisting either directly or indirectly in fisheries-related research projects. Please note a full driving licence valid in the State is required.

Salary will be at the first point of Fishery Officer Scale (as at 1 November 2013) plus an Unsocial Hours allowance, which will be paid at either 50% or 100% relative to the number of unsocial hours worked.

Applications (a cover letter and up-to-date CV) should be sent by 12 noon on Monday 23 February 2015 to [email protected] or by post to:

HR Department, Ref: ‘HR/FO/2015’

Inland Fisheries Ireland

3044 Lake Drive

Citywest Business Campus

Dublin 24


All enquiries to [email protected] or 01 884 2662. Please note that late applications will not be processed. Canvassing will disqualify. IFI is an equal opportunities employer.

#Jobs - Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is recruiting a senior scientist with a specific focus on statistics and modelling, technical editorial support, GIS and data management.

This permanent leadership role will be part of a dynamic research team conducting research (both national and international) on Ireland’s fish species and will report to the head of research and development.

Applicants will be short listed for interview on the basis of information supplied in their CVs.

For the full job description, see the IFI website HERE. For any further details contact the HR Department, Inland Fisheries Ireland, 3044 Lake Drive, Citywest Business Campus, Dublin 24 at 01 8842 662 or [email protected].

The closing date for receipt of applications is 5pm on Friday 27 February 2015. Canvassing will disqualify. IFI is an equal opportunities employer.