Two young artists from Cork and Dublin have scooped the winning prizes in the 2022 Something Fishy national poster competition, with a third student from Laois being awarded the Special Judges’ Category prize.
The competition, which is organised by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) in conjunction with Blackrock Education Centre, received artistic entries from across the country.
Madelena Duggan, a sixth-class pupil from Ardfield National School in Clonakilty, Co Cork and Emma Kilmurry, a fifth-class pupil from Sacred Heart School, Clondalkin, Co Dublin each won in their category for their conservation-themed poster.
While Katie O’Neill, a sixth-class pupil from Presentation Portarlington Primary School, Portarlington, Co Laois won the Special Judges’ Category prize.
Madelena Duggan, 6th class winner, Ardfield National School, Clonakilty, Cork
Earlier this year, as previously reported on Afloat.ie, primary school students around the country were challenged by IFI to create a poster with the ‘catch-photo-release’ (CPR) message that could be used in awareness campaigns.
Announcing the winners, Suzanne Campion of IFI said: “We received a host of beautiful posters containing important conservation-based messaging. It is reassuring to see the level of awareness that today’s young people have on issues around conservation and protection of our fisheries resource.
“Engagement in these issues early on is promising for future generations to be active stewards over our inland fisheries and the surrounding environment.”
The overall winners will receive a tablet to the value of €500 each and the winner of the Special Judges’ Category will receive a tablet to the value of €200.
Emma Kilmurry, 5th class, Sacred Heart School, Clondalkin, Dublin
Niamh Murray, director of Blackrock Education Centre added: “It was fantastic to see the number of entries in this year’s Something Fishy competition. I was incredibly impressed by the standard of artwork created by the young people. They are all winners as far as I am concerned!
“It is also greatly encouraging to witness young people wanting to be involved in environmental issues and the competition was a perfect way to harness this interest. The future looks very good with such committed, environmentally aware young people. Their artwork will go on to feature in awareness campaigns nationally on fish conservation.”
The national poster competition is an important element of the wider Something Fishy Educational Programme, aimed at primary school pupils aged between ten and thirteen. It educates students on the importance of biodiversity and on having sustainable habitats, fish and angling. Information about the programme is available from somethingfishy.ie
