#Angling - Over 420 children and young people from the Greater Dublin Area have taken up angling in the past year, according to Inland Fisheries Ireland’s Dublin Angling Initiative.

The programme which aims to promote, develop and improve angling in the Dublin area says it has seen significant demand for its services during 2017.

Young people from the areas of Tallaght, Whitechurch, Darndale and Blanchardstown, as well as those participating in inner city youth projects, took part in last year’s programme that saw them take fishing lessons, participate in fishing trips and competitions, and enjoy family fishing days at various community events.

This included two youth events organised in memory of the late Sean McMorrow, who was a member of the Inland Fisheries Trust and who donated funds towards the development of youth angling.

Environmental talks and lessons were also held with many national and secondary schools, with summer project and youth services taking part in the programme during the summer months.

The Dublin Angling Initiative caters for anyone interested in angling, from the complete novice to the more advanced angler, with exposure given to each of the different types of fishing.

Fishing presentations and tours provide an insight into fish, their habitat, conservation measures and education regarding local fishing areas.

The programme has seen thousands of young people participate in the programme since its inception over 20 years ago. The initiative has also been a catalyst for the founding of many fishing clubs by these young people, IFI says.

“The Dublin Angling Initiative offers a great opportunity to our young people to come outdoors and try and catch a fish,” added Brian Beckett, IFI director of the Eastern River Basin District. “We’re delighted to see so many young people out fishing during the summer months.

“Fishing is a hobby that can be enjoyed at any age or ability, in urban and rural settings and it has a wealth of benefits not least of which relate to overall health and well-being. The project provides an opportunity for those who may never have fished before to take up angling and our hope is that, for some, this will become a lifelong hobby.”

IFI chief executive Ciaran Byrne also commented on the importance of introducing young people to Ireland’s unique fisheries resource.

“Building awareness and understanding of the importance of protection and conservation of the resource is a key message of the Dublin Angling Initiative. We hope that these young people will bring this appreciation of the resource with them into later life.”

The Dublin Angling Initiative welcomes enquiries from all groups or individuals interested in its programmes and services. For further information, visit www.fisheriesireland.ie.

#MarineScience - Today, Sunday 11 February, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is marking International Day of Women and Girls in Science by highlighting the key role that women play in the organisation.

According to UN Secretary-General António Guterres: “We need to encourage and support girls and women achieve their full potential as scientific researchers and innovators.”

As an organisation, IFI carries out scientific fisheries research, monitoring and investigations which aim to manage, improve and protect the inland fisheries resource.

A board member of IFI, Dr Frances Lucy is also chair of the Environmental Sciences Association of Ireland. She is head of the Department of Environmental Science and director of the Centre for Environmental Research Innovation and Sustainability at the Institute of Technology, Sligo.

“My advice to young girls and women interested in science is this: follow your passion, let no-one discourage you,” she says.

“It is harder for women, though, because women face the challenge of trying to balance career, children and family. Never underestimate yourself.

“Science is a wonderful discipline and is very rewarding. It’s a career in its own right, but it also offers encouragement to others and makes an impact on science and on society.”

IFI staff member Dr Fiona Kelly is a senior research officer. Dr Kelly heads up a large team specialising in research on various freshwater fish species and has been interested in science since she was a child.

Growing up in Kildare and then Kilkenny, beside the Rivers Liffey and Barrow, her father nurtured her interest in nature, leading to her being an exhibitor at the annual Young Scientist Expo in Dublin’s RDS, before going on to earn a BSc (Hons) in zoology and a PhD in freshwater ecology at University College Dublin.

“As a career, science is extremely interesting and rewarding. The work we do in Inland Fisheries Ireland has great variety and diversity,” she explains. “It’s not just a desk job, you get to work outdoors on rivers, lakes and estuaries on a regular basis.

“For example, I am currently leading the team who carry out the fish monitoring for the Water Framework Directive, to assess the status of fish stocks across the country.”

Dr Kelly says Irish women scientists in the environmental and fisheries sector are well regarded.

“As an island nation, we have a different perspective, so we have much to offer. For instance, I’m on the EIFAAC Technical and Scientific Committee, a sub-committee working under the aegis of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations. Irish scientists, male and female, are regular speakers at international conferences.

“It’s a varied and exciting career I would encourage any girls and women who are interested in science to pursue it as a career.”

Wise words of advice as we celebrate UN International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

#Angling - Inland Fisheries Ireland has confirmed that the first spring salmon of 2018 was caught earlier this week in Co Leitrim.

Well-known local angler Bill Likely landed the 7.5lb salmon on the River Drowes on Tuesday 30 January. The sea-liced fish was taken on a Black and Gold Rapala from the Point of the Meadow Pool shortly before 1pm.

Water levels on the river were high at the time, as they have been at the fishery for the first month of the season, but have been decreasing in recent days.

Sean Kyne, Minister of State with responsibility for the inland fisheries sector, congratulated Likely on this achievement.

“To catch the first salmon of the year is an accolade prized among anglers and marks the return of the fishing season every January,” the minister said. “Using the event to support a worthy cause such as hospice services puts the iconic salmon at the heart of the angling as well as the broader community.”

“Protecting and sustaining our salmon resource as a vector for development and tourism in peripheral rural areas is among my top priorities.”

The first fish, as is traditional, will be prepared for a tasting event to benefit local charities — and on this occasion, the North West Hospice, which ‘provides specialist care with compassion for those living with life-limiting illness in our community’, will be the beneficiary of an event at the Foxes Lair Bar & Restaurant in Bundoran tomorrow Friday 9 February from 8pm.

To mark the catch, fishery owner Shane Gallagher presented the Drowes Perpetual Cup to a delighted Likely, who works on the fishery and is familiar to local anglers, well known for his generosity with advice and local insights.

Ciaran Byrne, CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), said: “Official confirmation of the first salmon catch of the year is always a key event. Last year, the first salmon was caught in the Careysville Fishery on the Munster Blackwater in Cork on February 1st.

“IFI staff have confirmed the appearance of spring salmon on a number of Donegal fisheries over recent days. The board of IFI is concerned about the declining abundance of salmon and urges all salmon anglers to practice catch and release angling on all open salmon waters even where there is an available quota.”

Byrne continued: “We have a wonderful fisheries resource in this country that doesn’t just benefit anglers but offers rural communities sustainable tourism and job opportunities outside of the traditional tourist seasons.

“Inland Fisheries Ireland continues to work with these communities to develop our angling infrastructure and improve access, through extensive funding grants and sponsorship, with a view to increasing angling participation and growing local economic growth as a result.”

Anglers looking for fishing information in Ireland in 2018 can visit the Fishing in Ireland website for the latest news and fishing reports.

For those looking to try out fishing for the first time, IFI will run a number of education and outreach initiatives throughout the year with all information posted on fisheriesireland.ie.

IFI is also inviting the public to help protect and conserve the fisheries resource during the year by reporting incidents of illegal fishing, water pollution and invasive species to its confidential hotline at 1890 34 74 24 or 1890 FISH 24.

#Angling - Inland Fisheries Ireland has launched its Sponsorship Fund for 2018 which will support angling events and initiatives across the country.

The fund supported 79 events and initiatives across 19 counties to the tune of €30,000 in 2017, with a particular focus on those which help grow Ireland’s angling tourism product and support novice anglers.

Recreational angling is estimated to have contributed over €800 million to Ireland’s economy in 2017, supporting upwards of 11,000 jobs.

Inland Fisheries Ireland’s Sponsorship Fund aims to support large international competitions held in Ireland which showcase Ireland’s angling offering and contribute to local economies.

The fund also contributes to novice angler events which increase participation in angling among those who want to begin, or who have recently taken up, fishing as a hobby.

Finally, it also helps initiatives which disseminate information that promote conservation and protection of the inland fisheries and sea angling resource and can include seminars, workshops and training.

Support from the Sponsorship Fund can be either financial or resource support from IFI staff members.

According to IFI, angling offers rural communities the opportunity to increase the number of visitors to the area and in turn, support local business and create jobs by providing a sustainable source of income for both catering and accommodation services.

Suzanne Campion, IFI head of business development, said last year’s Sponsorship Fund “supported 79 initiatives all over the country which had a focus on helping grow Ireland’s angling tourism product and supporting novice anglers.

“Tourism initiatives like the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Ancient East are further boosting visitor numbers and our Sponsorship Fund for 2018 will support angling clubs and groups nationwide to offer local events which engage domestic anglers, overseas anglers and those who are about to cast for the first time.

“With Ireland having some of the best wild fisheries in Europe, this Sponsorship Fund forms part of our National Strategy for Angling Development which aims to develop our angling tourism potential while also managing and conserving our fisheries resource.”

IFI’s National Strategy for Angling Development is the first comprehensive national framework which will deliver a wide-ranging set of investments, innovations and promotions over the coming five years.

It aims to make angling accessible and attractive through information, infrastructure and support, to develop tourism through the promotion of the angling resource and to position angling as a key leisure and recreation pursuit.

The strategy is intended to deliver significant economic benefits in rural communities where much of angling takes place, while also ensuring that fish populations and habitats are protected and conserved.

Applications for funding from the 2018 Sponsorship Fund are now invited from angling clubs, associations or any local group organising an angling initiative.

The scheme will remain open for applications until Monday 22 January and all applications can be made online. Awards will be subject to budget availability and adherence to the scheme requirements.

#Angling - Angling clubs have until this Friday 22 December to submit their tender for rivers opening in the New Year in the State Fisheries Tender Process for 2018.

Tenders will be accepted up until Friday for rivers opening in January 2018, and until 12 January or the remainder. Proof of postage on or before these date will be accepted.

The list of available fisheries can be found on the Inland Fisheries Ireland website. To tender for one or more fisheries, fill out the Condition of Tender and Application Form.

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 angling club is interested in a longer term licence, fill out the relevant section on your form and IFI will get in touch. In the meantime, the ‘per year’ licence fee should be tendered.

For any queries relating to State Fisheries or the 2017 tender process, contact Paul O’Reilly at [email protected] or at 01 884 2600.

In addition, all clubs who held a licence on a State fishery during the 2016 season will need to fill out an End of Year Report Form and return it to IFI at the above address by 30 December.

End of Year reports may of course be posted together with tender applications, though no envelopes marked ‘TENDER APPLICATION’ will be opened until after the closing date for applications. Any tender cheques enclosed will also not be acknowledged until after 12 January.

#Angling - Sean Kyne, Minister with responsibility for the inland fisheries sector, has welcomed the award of funding to the value of €2.2m by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) to 115 angling development and conservation initiatives as part of its National Strategy for Angling Development, Salmon Conservation Fund and Midlands Fisheries Fund.

The projects, which focus on improving Ireland’s inland fisheries and sea angling resource, will begin delivery in 2018.

In total, applications for over 140 projects were received bringing the overall value of projects applying for funding to above €2.9 million.

Minister Kyne said: “I would like to congratulate the applicants who have been awarded this funding. The projects receiving funding are located in 24 counties across the country.

“They include fisheries habitat conservation projects as well as the provision of infrastructure and equipment to allow for improved access to angling. Education/youth initiatives and projects aimed at attracting increased numbers of tourist anglers also attracted funding.”

Minister Kyne also noted the recently announced new ‘Fisheries Projects Animators’ scheme, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.

“That initiative will support the implementation of these projects in assisting community organisations nationwide in realising these ambitious angling projects and conservation initiatives over the coming year,” he added.

The 2017 funding call was first announced in August, with local groups and individuals including local development associations, tidy towns, angling clubs, local authorities and others invited to apply for funding.

The IFI website has more information on the funding process and recipient projects, which are listed below.

Carlow

• River Barrow, shore side, Woodford Dolmen Hotel Grounds, Killkenny Road, Carlow - Jetty situated on the bank of the River Barrow - Woodford Dolmen Hotel (€5,802)

Cavan

• Brackley Lake - Footway to improve access to angling along Prospect Shore at Brackley Lake - Cavan County Council (€31,444)
• Killnahard, Ballyheelan, Killnaleck - Improve boat slip and car park for angling access at Killnahard Bay - Lough Sheelin Trout Protection Association (€24,850)
• Templeport Lake, Kildoagh, Templeport, Bawnboy - Templeport Lake Fishing Stand - Templeport Development Association (€2,000)

Clare

• Fanore, North Clare - Angling equipment for Juvenile Training and Coaching Programme - Lisdoonvarna Fanore Sea Angling Club (€6,875)
• Derg Isle Adventure Centre, Carrowmore - Angling equipment to develop youth angling – Ducey’s Personal Development Academy (€2,000)

Cork

• River Blackwater (Munster), Mallow - Restoration and Enhancement of Angling Facilities catering for Game & Coarse Anglers in Mallow Town on River Blackwater (Munster) - Mallow Development Partnership (€89,157)
• Deasy’s Stream, River Bandon, Bandon - Deasy's Stream Rehabilitation Project - Bandon Angling Association (€8,399)

Donegal

• Buncrana - Feasibility study for habitat enhancement and angling access on the Crana River - Buncrana Anglers Association (€2,000)
• Tully, Dungloe - Tully Boatshed, for angling boat repair and storage - Rosses Anglers Association (€21,492)
• Gweebarra, Coolvoy, Doochary - Salmon fishing enhancement project - Gweebarra Fishing Club (€4,000)
• Dunfanaghy, Sessiagh and Purt Lakes - Replacement lake boats to improve angling access - Dunfanaghy Angling Association (€6,575)
• Lough Keel, Skerry, Kilmacrennan - Angling boats to improve access to angling - The Letterkenny & District Anglers Association (€5,684)
• Loughanure, Anangry - Wheelchair/Less-Abled lake access - Loughanure Anglers (€11,269)
• Bunagee Pier, Culdaff - Junior Sea Angling Taster Sessions - Culdaff Sea Angling Club (€4,275)
• Owencarrow River, Glen Lough and Lough Natooey, Creeslough - Development Plan 2014-18 for Angling, Tourism and Conservation on the Creeslough Fisheries - Creeslough & District Angling Association (€223,750)
• Ray River, Carrowcanon, Falcaragh - Ray River habitat rehabilitation project - Inland Fisheries Ireland (€27,000)
• Marketing & Promotion of Game & Sea Angling in Donegal by the Donegal Angling Tourism Alliance (DATA) - Creeslough & District Angling Association (€24,638)
• Crolly River, Gweedore - Crolly River Habitat Restoration and Improvement - Crolly Angling Association (€5,760)

Dublin

• Royal Canal & Grand Canal - Expansion of summer youth angling programme - Finglas Youth Resource Centre (€5,988)
• Straffan to Celbridge Fishery, Co Kildare - Feasibility report on the Straffan to Celbridge Fishery - Dublin Trout Anglers’ Association (€2,000)
• Marketing and promotional events to grow angling club membership - Dublin Trout Anglers Association (€1,300)

Galway

• Calla, Kilconnell, Ballinasloe - Disabillity carpark and access point and new permanent fishing stand - Kilconnell Community Development Association Ltd (€6,810)
• Owenglin River, Couravoughill, Clifden - Improvement of Owenglin river access walkway - Clifden Trout Anglers Association (€19,530)
• Tuam - Angling equipment to develop youth angling - Outdoor Ranger Ltd (€2,000)
• Leenane public carpark - Fisheries species, habitat and angling information signage - Leenane Development Association (€122)
• Bundorragha River, Bundorragha, Whin Pool, Leenane; Finlough Weed Control, Delphi, Leenane - Angling Access Delphi Fishery - Delphi Fishery Ltd (€1,614)
• Clare River south bank from Claregalway village in the townland of Lakeview to the most easterly point of the townland of Lydacan - Clare River angler access from Claregalway to Gortatleva (Phase 1) - Inland Fisheries Ireland (€7,888)
• Dawros River, Kylemore, Letterfrack, Connemara - Kylemore Abbey Angling Access Programme - Kylemore Abbey & Gardens Ltd (€19,881)
• Annaghdown; Ballindiff; Commercial boat club, Galway City; Collinamuuck; Cornamona; Cong, Co Mayo; Oughterard; Moycullen; Headford; Kilbeg; Cross, Co Mayo - Fisheries enhancement and angling access project - Lough Corrib Angling Trout Federation (€3,517)
• Abbert River, Monivea - Tiquin Area - Abbert River Spawning & Habitat Regeneration - Cairde Na Chlair (€56,685)
• Baurisheen, Oughterard - Purchase of boats to improve angler access - Kevin Molloy Boat Hire (€4,375)
• Kilroe (Cahermorris) River, Kilroe, Annaghdown - Fencing & in-stream development - Annaghdown Angling Club (€3,026)
• Bunownen River, Glencroff area and Leenane - West of Leenane Invasive Species Survey and Management Plan - Forum Connemara CLG (€1,837)
• Carrick Shore, Clonbur - Angling boats to improve angler access - Hugh O'Donnell (€4,000)
• River Bunowen - Rock ramp on River Bunowen, Ahascragh - Inland Fisheries Ireland (€120,000)
• Lough Corrib, Glann, Oughterard - Angling boats to improve angler access - Lough Corrib Boats (€7,500)
• Glencorbet, Kylemore - Kylemore Riverbank and spawning bed restoration project - Inland Fisheries Ireland (€10,238)
• Bealanabrack River, Kilmilken, Maam - Riparian management, Bealanabrack - Inland Fisheries Ireland (€4,400)

Kerry

• Big River, Tralee - Big River Habitat Improvement Scheme - Kerry County Council (€12,335)
• River Feale, Triereragh, Duagh, Listowel - Access road, car park and disabled angling stands and box type bridge and guard rails - Daniel O Donoghue (€22,000)
• River Feale, Triereragh, Duagh - Feasibility study, environmental impact study and document preparation into the improving access to angling for disabled persons - Daniel O Donoghue (€4,373)
• Dungeel, Gortnascarry, Ballymalis and Beaufort - Walkways Stiles and Bridges Roadways and Carpark Improvements - Laune Salmon and Trout Anglers' Association (€2,033)
• Various beaches and public bridges and piers - Youth angling development project - Kerry Diocesan Youth Service (€7,470)
• River Laune, Killorglin - Angling equipment for pilot youth angling development programme - Caragh Bridge Angling Club (€1,012)

Kildare

• Kellyville Lake, Ballintubbert, Co Laois - Feasibility Study on water levels in Kellyville Lake in Laois by Kildare-based club - Athy & District Anglers Club (€6,300)

Leitrim

• Angling Marketing Guide: Discover Angling in Leitrim - Leitrim Integrated Development Company CLG (€1,197)

Limerick

• River Loobagh, Kilmallick - Invasive species identification and Management Program in the Ballyhoura Catchment area - Ballyhoura Development CLG (€667)

Longford

• Lough Leebeen, Rathmore, Aughnacliffe - Provision of a public toilet for the use of anglers in Leebeen Park, Aughnacliffe - Leebeen Park Development Ltd (€9,072)
• Lanesborough - Equipment for youth angling initiative - St. Mel's College Angling Club (€800)
• Lakes in and surrounding areas of Longford - Small easy to manage boat for less able persons to access angling - Melview Lodge (€3,143)

Louth

River Dee, Cappogue, on Drumcar Weir - Dee Fish Counter Project 2017 - Inland Fisheries Ireland (€31,467)

River Boyne, Boyne Valley - Boyne Valley Fishing Guides website enhancement - Boyne Valley Fishing Guides (€1,950)

Mayo

• Altnabrocky River, Bellacorrick - Protection of further spawning areas & bank reinforcement - R Hewat (GlenAlt Syndicate) (€15,000)
• River Erriff, townland of Glennacally - Erriff bank protection/ Western Way walk 2017 - Inland Fisheries Ireland (€23,383)
• River Moy at Tawnaghbeg, Straide, Foxford and four other locations - Tourist and Angler Information Maps - East Mayo Anglers Association (€5,763)
• Lough Corrib, Cong - Replacement of timber walkway and redevelopment of The Roach Pond, Cong - Cong and District Anglers Association (€7,380)
• River Moy, Laghtmacdurkan & Ardhoom Tds, Meelick, Swinford - Erecting/Replacement of stiles and footbridges along club waters of the River Moy - East Mayo Anglers Association (€4,059.08)
• Erriff River, Letterass, Kilbride - Development of angling access and walk way facilities at Aasleigh Falls - Mayo County Council (€12,500)
• Cuilbaun, Tawnaghbeg, Straide, Foxford - Disabled Anglers Facility - East Mayo Anglers Association (€154,087)
• Newport Quay and Clew Bay - Equipment for training novice sea anglers - Newport Sea Angling Club (€1,103)
• Cushlough, Ballinrobe - Car park resurfacing and parking alignment & security fencing - Ballinrobe and District Anglers Association (€21,263)
• Carrowniskey River, Carrowniskey, Louisburgh - Riverbank regeneration, Carrowniskey - Anthony Jordan (€529)
• Louisburgh - Carrownisky River Rehabilitation Project - Inland Fisheries Ireland (€9,080)
• Owenmore River, Drummin East - Owenmore (Drummin East) Bank Rehabilitation Project - Inland Fisheries Ireland (€6,150)
• Fish Counter replacement - Inland Fisheries Ireland (€31,467)
• Glenummera, Teevnabinnia - Bank reinstatement and rehabilitation of the Glenummera River, which is one of the main spawning tributaries of Delphi Fishery for wild salmon and sea trout - Delphi Fishery Ltd (€15,000)

Meath

• Kells Blackwater, from Lough Ramor, Co Cavan to Headford Bridge, Kells - Tourist/Visitor mapping and pamphlet design and production - Kells Anglers Association (€1,580)
• River Boyne, Ballybatter, Balreask New and Balreask Old, Navan - Fisheries enhancement project - Navan Anglers (€7,740)
• Trimblestown and Boycestown - Installation of fencing, drinkers, deflectors, top up gravel shoals, bank protection works etc - Trim Athboy Angling Association (€15,000)
• River Deel, Grange Beg, Killucan, Westmeath - Deel habitat enhancement - Boyne Catchment Angling Association (€15,000)
• Kells Blackwater, Carnaros - Hartion's Bridge - Instream habitat enhancement works - Kells Anglers Association (€15,000)
• River Boyne, Athlumney, Navan - Spawning gravel - Navan Anglers (€4,920)

Monaghan

• Lough Muckno (Fane Catchment) Concra, Castleblayney - Develop Angling Access at South Lodge, Lough Muckno - Monaghan Co Council (€111,369)
• Anny Shore, Lough White, Anny - Resurfacing of existing access road and carpark - Monaghan Co Council (€20,549)
• Lisgillan, White Lake, Cremorne, Co Monaghan - Improvement of access road and carpark - Monaghan Co Council (€29,206)
• South Shore, Lough Major, Ballybay - Improve access to the fishing stands - Monaghan Co Council (€1,706)
• Knappagh Water, Lacken, Cortubber - Upgrading and providing new fishing infrastructure - Bawn Area Community Group Limited (€15,270)

Offaly

• Tullamore River, Tullamore - Feasibility study of the Tullamore River - Offaly County Council (€2,000)

Roscommon

• Grange Lake, Strokestown - Angling equipment to develop tourism & access to Strokestown lakes - Grange Lodge (€4,467)
• Shannon River, Lackan Td, Kilteevan - Portrunny Slipway, Lough Ree - Roscommon County Council (€50,000)
• Frances River (Suck catchment), Castlerea - Fisheries enhancement on the Frances River, Castlrea - Castlerea Town Trust (€24,601)
• Bealnamullia, Cuilleen & Ardgawna townlands, Monksland, Athlone - Cross River Walkway - Roscommon County Council (€50,000)
• River Shannon - Quayside wall, Ballyleague & various locations at Lough Ree - Feasibility study for a new angling centre, boat and tourism facility - Lough Ree Angling Hub (€935)
• Cavetown Croghan, Boyle - Cavetown Angling Renewal/Development: Reinstate fishing stands, erection of foot stileriparian zone improvement, fish passage improvement, spawning enhancement and provision of in stream structures - Cavetown Residents Developments Company (€98,144)
• Portrunny, Fearragh, Ballymurray - Portrunny Aquatic Biodiversity Sign - Portrun Development Association CLG (€1,728)

Sligo

• Bellanascarrow Lake, Lavally, Ballymote - Upgrade of access for mobility impaired anglers and enhancement to existing angling facilities - Ballymote & District Angling Club (€17,374)
• Western end Lough Gill at Aughamore Far - Replacement jetty structure Aghamore Far, Lough Gill - Sligo Anglers Association (€15,456)
• The falls and ladders Ballisodare fishery, Ballisodare - Part funding of fisheries angling access development project - ballisodare fishing club ltd (€20,000)
• River Easkey, Dromore West - Habitat enhancement and angler access improvement - River Easkey Angling Club (€13,500)
• Duff River, Bunduff - Duff River Angling Access Path - Sligo County Council (€40,312)
• Lough Gill, Hazelwood Demesne Td, Calry - Restoration of breakwater, silt removal of semi enclosed area and boat slip clearance. - Inland Fisheries Ireland (€6,089)
• Garavogue River, Cleveragh Demesne - Assessment of the potential environmental impact for the installation of four accessible angling stands on Garavogue River - Sligo County Council (€2,000)

Tipperary

• River Anner - River enhancement and restoration programme on River Anner - Clonmel Tourism CE (€32,000)
• Glengoole, Thurles - Lough Doire Bhile, Tree planting to improve shelter for anglers in open area - Sliabh Ardagh Rural Development CLG (€6,797)

Tyrone

• Blackwater (main channel) from Ballagh Bridge to Favour Royal - Feasibility study to develop access to southern bank of Northern Blackwater - River Blackwater Catchment Trust (€5,000)

Waterford

• Knockaderry Reservoir, Kilmeaden - Replacement of angling boats - Waterford City and County Trout Anglers Association (€9,850)
• River Blackwater, Salterbridge, Cappoquin - Repair and improve access to stream deflector - Cappoquin Salmon and Trout Anglers Association (€27,236)

Westmeath

• Tudenham Stream, Rochfort Demense, Mullingar - Tudenham Stream enhancement - Lough Ennell Trout Preservation Association (€10,509)
• Kilpatrick, Hopestown, Mullingar - Kilpatrick Stream enhancement - Lough Ennell Trout Preservation Association (€13,939)
• Mid Shannon and nearby lakes and waterways - Angling marketing material for Athlone.ie - Westmeath County Council (€2,000)
• Tullaghan, Lough Owel, Mullingar - Jeep & trailer parking to increase angling access at Tullaghan, Lough Owel, Mullingar - Westmeath County Council (€24,372)
• Lough Derravagh, Dunore Shore, Multyfarnham - Boat slip improvement and jetty - Lough Derravargh Angling Club (€39,800)

Wicklow

• River Vartry, Ashford - River Vartry rehabilitation: Tree pruning and invasive species removal - River Vartry Protection Society (€13,025)
• Arklow Harbour - Sea angling access ladders upgrade in Arklow Harbour - Wicklow County Council (€10,267)
• Angling equipment to assist local community groups in providing their students and clients with access to supervised angling activities - Fishing Futures c/o Wicklow Travellers Group (€1,630)
• Wicklow Harbour - Sea angling access ladders upgrade in Wicklow Harbour - Wicklow County Council (€10,267)
• Bray Harbour - Sea angling access ladders upgrade in Bray Harbour - Wicklow County Council (€10,267)

Nationwide

• Possible filming locations are as follows: Spring time roach fishing - River Shannon, Portumna; Bream fishing in Ireland - Timplehouse lake, Ballymote, Co Sligo; Hybrids fishing on the feeder - Garadice lake, Co. Leitrim; Pole fishing in Ireland - River Inny or River Shannon; Canal Fishing in Ireland, Grand Canal - Promotional Angling Videos - Cathal Hughes Angling (€1,875)
• Dublin Angling Initiative (covering Louth, Dublin, Wicklow, Meath, Kildare) - Inland Fisheries Ireland (€70,062)
• Dublin Angling Initiative angling equipment - Inland Fisheries Ireland (€8,057)
• Atlas of Big Fish in Ireland - Inland Fisheries Ireland (€35,603)
• Youth Angling Development - Inland Fisheries Ireland (€80,259)
• Pop up pond - bring angling to the people - Inland Fisheries Ireland (€1,100)
• Angling simulator for introduction to youth angling - Inland Fisheries Ireland (€2,000)

#Angling - Sean Kyne, Minister with Responsibility for the inland fisheries sector, has welcomed Inland Fisheries Ireland’s intention to take on five new ‘Fisheries Projects Animators’.

These new recruits will assist community organisations nationwide in realising ambitious angling projects and conservation initiatives for the coming year.

“I have secured the additional funding for IFI to enable this recruitment which will build IFI’s capacity to support the many excellent community-based organisations engaged with our inland fisheries and sea angling resource who are delivering projects under the National Strategy for Angling Development,” said Minister Kyne.

“This is a key deliverable under the development strategy to supplement the excellent work IFI are doing in administering the investment scheme by offering assistance to community project promoters. These new temporary posts will harness the potential already in the sector to deliver on development projects.”

The inland fisheries resource is worth €836 million to the Irish economy annually and supports upwards of 11,000 jobs, often in rural and peripheral communities.

Inland Fisheries Ireland says it wants to grow the angling sector’s socio-economic contribution by an additional €60 million annually, by ensuring that Ireland’s fish stocks and angling infrastructure are protected and enhanced into the future.

Last year, 50 angling development projects around Ireland were awarded with funding to the value of €500,000 in total under Inland Fisheries Ireland’s 2016 Capital Works Fund. The successful applicants for 2018’s funding will be announced next week.

Suzanne Campion, head of business development with Inland Fisheries Ireland, said of the project animators plan: “We are delighted the minister has approved the funding for these roles. They will be exciting but challenging positions, requiring experience and expertise across a range of criteria, and will be geographically located based on the demands of the numerous projects seeking assistance and input.

“We will be looking for enthusiastic and driven candidates for this dynamic team that will enable stakeholders to deliver on projects and build capacity across the recreational fisheries sector.”

#Angling - Denis Naughten, Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, has officially launched two new angling developments by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) at Emlaghroyan in Roscommon and ‘The Mudflats’ at Carrick-on-Shannon in Co Leitrim.

A new match angling stretch has been provided at Emlaghroyan, on the River Suck in Roscommon, with upgraded car parking and drive-to-peg facilities.

This development involved upgrading existing roadways and the construction of new access roadway.

Ten new match angling pegs have been provided, with a capacity for further extension.

The Suck Valley Angling Hub were recently granted additional funds through the National Strategy for Angling Development (NSAD) to extend the match venue to further promote tourism angling and facilitate match competitions in the Roscommon/East Galway area.

Together with recently unveiled developments on the River Suck at Lough Acalla, the total investment in the River Suck project was €87,000.

In Leitrim, another major 2017 development project has been completed with an investment of €103,000, providing new facilities at ‘The Mudflats’ on the main River Shannon at Carrick-on-Shannon.

The new floating angling stand is accompanied by improved roadways and parking, upgraded toilet facilities and a new slipway.

This is another important match angling venue, used widely for international match angling events such as the World Pairs and the Carrick Angling Festival.

Speaking in Carrick-On-Shannon after the ribbon-cutting ceremony yesterday (Friday 1 December), Minister Naughten said: “I am delighted to mark the official opening of these developments today. Both were completed under the National Strategy for Angling Development (NSAD) and greatly enhance the angling infrastructure in both counties. They will provide a boost to angling tourism potential in the region, which in turn should increase visitor numbers.

“Furthermore, these projects would not be possible without the cooperation, agreement and vision of the respective landowners and I would like to thank all those involved for their contribution to these developments.”

More applications from the region are currently going through the NSAD assessment process, and aim to enhance the angling infrastructure in the upper Shannon areas as well as promote participation in angling.

Two weeks ago Minister Naughten unveiled new angling infrastructure in Galway and Athlone, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.

#Angling - Sean Kyne, Minister with responsibility for Inland Fisheries, has welcomed the development by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) of a specific stock management plan for Galway’s Owenriff system aimed at removing pike from the system as a significant step forward.

Stock management operations are normally commenced in February each year and the Owenriff plan will be implemented for 2018.

Minister Kyne said: “I met recently with the board and senior management of Inland Fisheries Ireland to discuss this, and other issues, and it has now been agreed that, in line with current policy, a stock management plan explicitly for the Owenriff will be implemented in a more intensive focus on the system to facilitate the recovery of the salmonid populations.

“It has also been agreed that IFI will continue to implement a stock management programme for the entire Corrib catchment, in line with its current policy,” he added.

The minister also welcomed confirmation by IFI that the results of a fish population survey of the Owenriff system, which was undertaken during the summer of 2017, will be reported on in January 2018.

Dr Cathal Gallagher, head of research and development at IFI, said: “We have listened to local stakeholders and staff in relation to threats posed to salmon and trout populations in the Owenriff, a tributary of Lough Corrib.

“To understand the scale of the issues reported and to support evidence-based management, Inland Fisheries Ireland conducted a fish population survey in late June and late July 2017. We have since worked in the laboratory and with relevant analytical tools to understand the dynamics of the fish stocks in this catchment.

“We have also reviewed mitigation actions that could be taken to restore damage incurred by specific stocks. A proposed rehabilitation plan for the system will be delivered in parallel to the fish stock survey report.”

As part of its research into fish population in the Owenriff system, IFI surveyed 17 river sites and two lakes using standard fish population sampling methods.

IFI staff are currently analysing the data and comparing it to data from previous surveys and neighbouring catchments to determine the status of the fish stocks and to assess change.

A fish stock survey report, which will be available in January, will document important metrics including fish species richness, fish abundance, length frequency, age and growth, and fish ecological status.

Supported by analysis of the survey results, and taking account of the ecology of specific systems, IFI says it will deliver a detailed plan which will focus on the rehabilitation of endangered fish populations in this important catchment.

This will include plans to maintain the genetic diversity of salmon and trout stocks in the Owenriff catchment.

#Angling - Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten has officially launched new angling developments at the Golden Mile in Athlone, Co Westmeath and at Lough Acalla in Co Galway.

These works were completed under the National Strategy for Angling Development (NSAD) and greatly enhance the angling infrastructure in both counties, according to Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI).

The wheelchair-accessible angling structures at Lough Acalla comprise floating fishing stands and a connecting bridge to provide for all-year-round fishing.

Total investment in Athlone amounted to €73,000 to build up access causeways, remove old wooden structures and design, manufacture and fit the three floating angling stands.

IFI worked with the local angling clubs, the relevant statutory agencies and contractors in the design and construction of these new floating platforms.

The works form part of a wider development at the Burgess Park and Meadows area, involving Athlone Municipal District, Waterways Ireland, National Parks and Wildlife Service, ESB Fisheries and Athlone Midlands and District Anglers.

At the Lough Acalla development, two large old wooden angling stands were removed and replaced with a fixed concrete catwalk and floating galvanised angling stand.

A new path was also constructed from a set down area in the existing carpark, providing wheelchair accessibility to the entire structure.

IFI worked with anglers and landowners throughout the project to deliver this key piece of infrastructure at this important trout fishery.

Together with other development works at Emlaghroyan, the total development in this River Suck project was €87,000.

Speaking in Athlone after the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Minister Naughten said: “These much needed new developments will add considerably to the angling infrastructure in the upper and mid-Shannon regions, ensuring accessibility for all anglers.

“This investment will play a key role in boosting tourism to the Lakelands region and ensure our valuable natural resources are protected.”