#Angling - Proposals from Brussels for a total ban on bass angling in Ireland for the first six months of 2016 have raised the ire of anglers and related businesses.

As Derek Evans writes in today's Irish Times, the "stringent" measures, if adopted, would include a ban on recreational angling alongside prohibitions on commercial fishing for bass - with a monthly one-tonne catch limit for boats and a single-bag limit for anglers in the latter half of the year.

Evans quotes from angling guide John Quinlan, who says he will be lobbying the EU Fisheries Commission "to allow us to at least be able to fish catch and release. Otherwise, it will effectively close down businesses like mine."

Management of bass stocks is the focus of a new satellite tagging scheme being undertaken by Inland Fisheries Ireland, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.

#Angling - Minister for Natural Resources Joe McHugh has today (Monday 30 November) launched the public consultation on the National Strategy for Angling Development (NSAD).

Prepared by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), the NSAD is the first comprehensive national framework for the development of Ireland's angling resource.

It is intended that the strategy will deliver a wide-ranging set of investments, innovations and promotions over the coming years.

This will ensure that Ireland's fish stocks and angling infrastructure are protected and enhanced for both their economic value and their recreational benefit to the communities and visitors they serve across the country.

“This strategy is necessary and timely to protect our wonderful inland fisheries and sea angling resources in their own right but also to safeguard and grow further the 11,350 jobs supported and €836 million contributed annually to Ireland’s economy by recreational angling," said Minister McHugh.

“These jobs and economic activity occur primarily in rural and peripheral areas of the country. The strategy supports the Government’s rural development, tourism and social inclusion objectives, and I urge all stakeholders to participate in the consultation process.”

IFI chief executive Dr Ciaran Byrne thanked all those who took part in the initial consultation process. “The inputs from stakeholders have been invaluable to Inland Fisheries Ireland in the preparation of the National Strategy for Angling Development. We look forward to working with all of our stakeholders in progressing the strategy.”

In accordance with Article 13(1)(b) of the European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 435), as amended by the European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes)(Amendment) Regulations 2011, Inland Fisheries Ireland has prepared:

• A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Environmental Screening Report of the likely significant effects on the environment of implementing the Strategy, in accordance with Directive 2001/42/EC of the European Parliament and Council of 27 June 2001 on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment as transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) Regulations 2004 as amended.
• A Habitats Directive Screening Statement for Appropriate Assessment (AA), pursuant to Article 6 of Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora as transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011.

The NSAD screening reports and supporting documents are available for viewing and downloading HERE; from IFI, 3044 Lake Drive, Citywest Business Campus, Dublin 24, D24 Y265; or at IFI offices countrywide (please see www.fisheriesireland.ie for addresses and maps).

Written submissions or observations should be sent to [email protected] or NSAD Consultation, 3044 Lake Drive, Citywest Business Campus, Dublin 24, D24 Y265 and must be received no later than Monday 4 January 2016.

For more information visit www.fisheriesireland.ie.

#Angling - Erne Anglers members dominate across two squads selected to compete in the FIPSed World Youth Angling Championships in Portugal next summer.

Jack Tisdall, youth team manager for the National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland (NCFFI), announced the two teams earlier this month, selected from four qualifying events throughout the year and judged on their general angling ability and commitment to the sport.

The U18 team comprises nearly all Erne Anglers youths, with Enda Monogue of New Ross AC the only non-member alongside Aaron Galbraith, James O’Doherty, Stefan Patterson and Harry Whitehead.

Erne Anglers are also represented in the U23 squad by Haydn Kellegher and Kieran Kelly, with Jamie Edwards (Carrickmacross AC), Aaron Hutchman (East Belfast AC) and Rob Kavanagh (Daingean AC) completing the lineup.

Tidal said he was “delighted" to present the youth selection for 2016 "which this year includes a number of new faces representing the high level of development of our junior coarse anglers in Ireland.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who took part in the qualifying process and the parental support and encourage those who were unsuccessful this time to stick with the process for the future.

"Attendance at qualifiers and national events during the year helps to improve the angling abilities of all those taking part,” he added.

The two teams will travel together to Portugal in July and will receive a subsidy of €3,500 towards travel costs from the NCFFI, tackle and equipment from team sponsors Tubertini UK Ltd and groundbait from Van Den Eynde. Additional sponsors will be sought by the NCFFI to keep costs to a minimum.

#Angling - ​Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Joe McHugh has given statutory notice of his intention to make the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations 2015.

The new Statutory Instrument will provide for the management of the wild salmon and sea trout fishery by Inland Fisheries Ireland from 1 January 2016.

A copy of the draft regulations is available online and is open for public inspection at the offices of the department in Cavan and also at the offices of Inland Fisheries Ireland.

Any person may submit observations or objections to the draft regulations at any time during the period of 30 days concluding on 10 December 2015 to

Inland Fisheries Division,
Department of Communications Energy and Natural Resources,
Elm House,
Earlsvale Road,
Cavan Town,
H12 A8H7,
Ireland

or by e-mail to [email protected].

All submissions received will be published on the department's website following the conclusion of the consultation period.

For more call 01 678 2117 or Lo-call 1890 44 99 00 (Extension). Rates charged may vary between service providers.

#MarineScience - Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) and Northern Ireland’s Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) welcomed delegates to the second International Sea Trout Symposium, which took place this week from 20-22nd October in Dundalk.

The symposium’s key objective was to promote the wider application of an evidence-based approach to the future management and regulation of the sea trout. It also considered developments since the last symposium, held in 2004, and highlighted priorities for future investigation.

International scientists, managers and policymakers interested in the conservation and protection of the sea trout attended the conference.

Sea trout is a valuable natural resource in Ireland, offering an exceptional angling experience to both tourists and locals. Irish fisheries managers are therefore very focused on the sustainable management, and, where required, the restoration of these valuable stocks. Outputs of the symposium will be used to develop national sea trout policies.

Northern Ireland’s Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure Carál Ní Chuilín commented: “Last year I brought in new legislation to protect both salmon and sea trout in our native rivers. All salmon and sea trout caught must be released back into the water, unless those rivers are meeting ‎their management targets.

“We are delighted to be working with Inland Fisheries Ireland in advancing our knowledge of this species so that we all can enhance our understanding of their complex life history and ensure that we are taking all the necessary steps not only to conserve them but also to enhance stocks in our rivers.”

Meanwhile, Joe McHugh TD, Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, expressed his appreciation for "all the scientists, managers and fisheries stakeholders on their passion and enthusiasm in extending their knowledge and understanding of sea trout management and conservation.

"The presence of this iconic migrant, which leaves freshwater and wanders our coastal waters to feed heavily before returning to its natal streams to spawn, is considered by many as a very positive environmental indicator. I look to Inland Fisheries Ireland to ensure that sustainable management of sea trout is prioritised, and that the loss of sea trout populations, which has occurred in some areas, is halted."

Minister McHugh added: “I will work with Inland Fisheries Ireland to ensure that serious efforts are made to restore and conserve this valuable component of biodiversity in Ireland. I also applaud the North-South approach being taken in supporting science and management issues; this is required to ensure the future effective management of sea trout stocks."

#Angling - Suggestions that Lough Sheelin may be kept open to all angling over the winter months have been criticised by the local trout protection association.

As Cavan's Anglo-Celt reports, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) had proposed the idea of keeping the lake open beyond the end of the trout angling season, which closed last Monday 12 October, during discussions with clubs in recent months over new bye-laws for the Shannon Basin.

But Michael Callaghan of the Lough Sheelin Trout Protection Association says his group "would be totally opposed to it because we feel it would impinge on our trout stocks. While people might be targeting pike, they will catch trout."

Commenting at last weekend's season-closing trout event that attracted more than 240 anglers to the lake, Callaghan said proposed new bag and size limits were changes "we can live with" but winter angling has been proscribed in the area for more than 60 years.

"From our perspective, we don’t want to see any change in that," he added. "It would have an enormous negative impact on the wild trout population.”

The Anglo-Celt has more on the story HERE.

#Angling - Newtownabbey anglers have urged vigilance after the discovery of a pollutant flowing into the Three Mile Water in the Co Antrim town earlier this week.

As the Newtownabbey Times reports, the suspect discharge was coming from a sewage pumping station.

But later tests by Northern Ireland Water and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency found no damage had been caused to the river habitat.

The Newtownabbey Times has more on the story HERE.

#Angling - Anglers are advised of a temporary closure of part of the River Suck fishery near Ballymoe, Co Galway.

The section of the River Suck fishery from Cloonroughan to Cloondacarra Bridge, through Cloontrask Townland, is temporarily closed from yesterday 16 September to Wednesday 30 September to facilitate necessary maintenance on the Suck Valley Way.

Suitable diversions and access can be followed from the Suck Valley Way maps at www.suckvalleywaywalks.ie

#anglingcot – The Ilen School, Roxboro, are today celebrating a great River Shannon adventure. This adventure involved 180–miles of rowing from Belleek in Fermanagh to Limerick City, over a two week period, by a team of two Ilen School boatmen - Tony Daly and Liam O'Donoghue, both residents of Ballynanty.

Not only did this intrepid duo navigate their traditional 23ft–wooden City Angling Cot to Limerick, through ever-changing river terrain, great lakes and canals, but they also built the beautiful craft using traditional skills over the winter months at the Ilen School.

This adventure further exemplifies the life-long learning philosophy of the Ilen School, which valorises the direct experience of individuals above all else. The school is planning many such adventures in the years ahead, and welcomes the "youth of all ages" with a sense of adventure for building in wood, community building and voyaging on rivers and sea to get involved. 

#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.”