Conor Lenihan, TD, Minister of State for Natural Resources, launched a new sea angling guide at Buswell's Hotel in Dublin today (24th June 2009). The publication, entitled 'A guide to sea angling in the Eastern Region' is written by Norman Dunlop, one of the main experts on sea angling in Ireland and is published by the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board.
This publication is part of a national marketing strategy which has been developed by the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards and Fáilte Ireland. The focus of this strategy is on 'centres of excellence' which were launched in 2007. Kilmore Quay in south Wexford, for example, is a centre of excellence for angling providing many opportunities for the shore, small boat and chartered boat angler and having top class accommodation and other facilities in the area. From a tourism perspective, sea angling makes a significant contribution to the local economy. The benefits of visiting sea anglers include expenditure on accommodation, meals, travel, angling gear and in some cases boat hire. In 2007, there were 230,000 overseas visitors to Ireland who participated in angling. Of this figure 128,000 came specifically for fishing with some 31,000 participating in sea angling activities.
The publication of the guide, therefore, has the potential to attract more visitors to the eastern seaboard – a very positive initiative in these straightened times.
3,000 copies of the guide have been printed and it will be distributed free of charge at promotional road shows in the UK, France, Holland, Germany and USA. It will also be available from Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and local tourism organisations, tackle distributors, angling clubs, community groups, accommodation providers and the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board. It will also be available to download from the Board's website.
Minister Lenihan added:"Norman Dunlop and all those associated with this publication are to be congratulated once again on this excellent and informative guide which I have no doubt will be referred to time and again as an invaluable source of information on sea angling in the eastern region".
