#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.”
