Loughs Agency Hails New Projects Under Way in Northern Ireland Thanks to Angling Improvement Fund 2023

26th July 2023

Projects funded by the Loughs Agency’s Angling Improvement Fund 2023 include the Angling Access Improvement Project in collaboration with the Omagh Anglers Association

A number of projects funded by the Loughs Agency’s Angling Improvement Fund 2023 — which aims to reinvest in angling-related initiatives that directly benefit the Foyle and Carlingford catchments — have officially commenced.

Angling clubs, fisheries, charities and community organisations were among the groups invited by the Loughs Agency to provide project ideas which could help to improve local fish stocks and angling opportunities.

One of the noteworthy projects to emerge from the Angling Improvement Fund 2023 is the Angling Access Improvement Project, in collaboration with the Omagh Anglers Association in Co Tyrone.

This project entails the re-profiling of a laneway as well as the establishment of a carpark and access gates. These improvements aim to enhance accessibility to the area, mitigating the safety risks currently associated with anglers having to navigate a busy narrow road.

The completion of this work will be a joint effort between Loughs Agency and the Omagh Anglers Association, ensuring effective oversight of the project and guaranteeing an abundance of benefits to the local angling community in the area.

This fund is generated by the income from coarse and game fishing licences.

In 2022, over £85,000 was reinvested in angling-related projects from the initiative, the Loughs Agency says.

Published in Loughs Agency, Northern Ireland Waters

Published in Loughs Agency

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About the Loughs Agency

The Loughs Agency is a governmental body established under the 1998 Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Ireland. The Agency's goal is to provide sustainable social, economic, and environmental benefits by effectively conserving, managing, promoting, and developing the fisheries and marine resources of the Foyle and Carlingford areas.

The Agency's governing legislation confers several specific functions, including the promotion of development of Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough for commercial and recreational purposes in respect of marine, fishery, and aquaculture matters. Moreover, the Agency is responsible for managing, conserving, protecting, improving, and developing the inland fisheries of the Foyle and Carlingford areas. Additionally, the Agency has the task of developing and licensing aquaculture, as well as the development of marine tourism.

The Loughs Agency reports to the North South Ministerial Council and its government Sponsor Departments, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland, and the Department of the Environment, Climate, and Communications (DECC) in Ireland. The Departments fund the Agency on an equal basis.

The Loughs Agency's focus on sustainable development is expected to have a positive impact on the economy, environment, and local communities in the Foyle and Carlingford areas. The Agency's efforts to conserve and enhance the region's marine resources, including fisheries and aquaculture, are expected to benefit local communities, promote tourism, and contribute to economic growth.

In conclusion, the Loughs Agency plays a vital role in promoting the sustainable social, economic, and environmental development of the Foyle and Carlingford areas. Its work on marine conservation and development is crucial in ensuring the long-term viability of the region's natural resources and in promoting sustainable economic growth.