Over €770,000 Awarded to 17 Projects to Support Fisheries Conservation Across Ireland

Over €770,000 Awarded to 17 Projects to Support Fisheries Conservation Across Ireland

Minister Ryan welcomes funding announcement for conservation projects in Carlow, Cork, Donegal, Galway, Kilkenny, Laois, Limerick, Mayo, Wexford, Westmeath and Wicklow

Inland Fisheries Ireland, the state agency with responsibility for the protection and conservation of freshwater fish and habitats, is awarding funding to 17 projects in 11 counties under the ‘Habitats and Conservation Scheme 2021’.

Under two separate funds, the Salmon and Sea Trout Rehabilitation, Conservation and Protection Fund and the Midland Fisheries Fund, eligible angling clubs, commercial fishermen and fishery owners were invited to apply for financial assistance to support fisheries conservation projects in their local areas.

€774,000 in funding for 17 projects has been approved so far this year, going to projects based in Carlow, Cork, Donegal, Galway, Kilkenny, Laois, Limerick, Mayo, Wexford, Westmeath and Wicklow. Examples include:

  • construction of rock ramp passageways to make it easier for fish to migrate upstream and downstream of impassable weirs
  • improvements to water quality by installing fences to stop livestock from entering the river and providing water pumps and troughs for livestock to minimise agricultural impacts
  • encouraging wild river regeneration by planting native Irish trees and shrubs along riverbanks in combination with fencing
  • enhancement of spawning and nursery habitats for salmon and sea trout
  • research to inform and improve national management decisions around sea trout
  • carrying out catchment-focused feasibility studies, habitat management plans, aquatic invasive species plans and environmental assessments to improve river habitats and species
  • soft engineering works to help regenerate the land and water adjacent to rivers

The announcement has been welcomed by Minister Eamon Ryan, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications. The Minister said: “The Habitats and Conservation Scheme 2021 is a great example of proactive conservation and protection of habitats. The scheme will support angling clubs, commercial fishermen and fishery owners in improving habitats, water quality and fish passage at a local grassroots level. The works and studies supported by the scheme will also result in wider benefits for the environment.”

Since 2016, Inland Fisheries Ireland has made more than €4 million available through its various funding schemes, including the two 2021 funds. Suzanne Campion, Head of Business Development with Inland Fisheries Ireland said: “Protecting and conserving fish species, like Atlantic Salmon and Sea Trout, is critical to the overall health of our eco-system. Threats like water pollution, climate change and invasive species are all having a damaging impact. Under the Habitats and Conservation Scheme, made possible through fishing licence income, groups all over the country will be working on projects and measures that benefit the conservation of salmon, sea trout and their freshwater habitats.”

Financial assistance under the Salmon and Sea Trout Rehabilitation, Conservation and Protection Fund (SSTRCPF total of €744,326) is generated by the sale of salmon and sea trout angling licences and commercial fishing licences in Ireland. The Midlands Fisheries Fund (MFF total of €29,778) is financed through contributions from permit income, received through the Midlands Fisheries Group permit area. To be eligible, applicants to the SSTRCPF must have purchased a valid salmon and sea trout angling licence or a commercial fishing licence or for the MFF, hold a current Midlands Fisheries Group permit.

Further allocations of funding may be announced later in the year and the full list of projects can be seen at  www.fisheriesireland.ie

August 19, 2021

Inland Fisheries Ireland issues Pacific pink salmon alert

Inland Fisheries Ireland issues Pacific pink salmon alert

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), the state agency responsible for the protection and conservation of freshwater fish and habitats,  has issued an alert, asking the angling community and general public to report any sightings of Pacific pink salmon.

Also known as ‘humpback’ salmon, pink salmon were very rare in Irish waters until 2017 and are believed to have originated from stocking programmes in Russia. Scientists at Inland Fisheries Ireland are concerned that if there are large numbers of the non-native species in Irish rivers, this may have negative impacts on Ireland’s salmon and trout populations in the future.

Dr. Paddy Gargan with Inland Fisheries Ireland explains: “If Pacific pink salmon become established in Irish rivers, they will be competing with Irish salmon and trout for food and space. Pink salmon also display aggressive behaviour towards native fish and a large invasion of pink salmon could push out Atlantic salmon and trout from holding pools into smaller channels.”

 Inland Fisheries Ireland has published a guide on its website to help the public identify a Pacific pink salmon, which has large oval black spots on its tail. Males also develop a pronounced ‘humpback’.

Appealing for help from the angling community and general public, Dr. Gargan added:  “There is only limited information currently available to assess the threat from Pacific pink salmon, so we are asking the angling community and general public to report any sightings to Inland Fisheries Ireland by telephoning our 24 hour confidential hotline on 1890 34 74 24.”

The first reported catch of a Pacific pink salmon in Ireland this year was in the Ridge Pool, Moy Fishery (Co. Mayo) on 27th June 2021. Anglers across the country are also being asked to report any further catches of Pacific pink salmon to Inland Fisheries Ireland and to assist with research efforts by following these steps:

  • Keep the Pacific pink salmon and do not release it back into the water, even in rivers that are only open for ‘catch and release’ angling.
  • Record the date and location of capture, and the length and weight of the fish.
  • Take a photograph of the fish and keep a copy of the image.
  • Tag the fish and please report it to Inland Fisheries Ireland as soon as possible by telephoning 1890 34 74 24. Inland Fisheries Ireland will arrange collection of Pacific pink salmon catches for further analysis and will also promptly issue replacement tags to anglers.

Further information about the conservation and research work of Inland Fisheries Ireland can be found at www.fisheriesireland.ie

ENDS

For media information:

Sarah Bohan/ Sadhbh O’Neill

Communications

Inland Fisheries Ireland

E: sarah.bohan@fisheriesireland.ie/ sadhbh.oneill@fisheriesireland.ie

T: 087 6539936 / 087 1019998

July 6, 2021

New Study Reveals the Migration Route of Atlantic Salmon at Sea

New Study Reveals the Migration Route of Atlantic Salmon at Sea

Inland Fisheries Ireland involved in major international research study, tracking salmon from Barrow, Nore, Suir and Blackwater Rivers

A new study published in the NATURE Journal this month, Scientific Reports, reveals the marine migration route of Atlantic salmon in the North Atlantic, including Irish salmon.

The study, led by the Arctic University of Norway, involved a cooperative research study by ten Universities and Institutions across Europe, including Inland Fisheries Ireland. The study involved tagging 204 salmon kelts with satellite tags from seven European countries and the east coast of North America, including salmon from the Barrow, Nore, Suir and Blackwater Rivers in Ireland, and tracked them during their oceanic migration.

Salmon travelled to oceanic fronts, but with specific patterns. Norwegian and Danish salmon rapidly migrate north and north-west toward the North Atlantic Ocean between Iceland and Svalbard. In contrast, Irish salmon migrated primarily westward towards South and East Greenland. Despite the variation in migration patterns among populations, most individual salmon migrated to polar ocean frontal areas.

One of the authors of the study, Dr Paddy Gargan of Inland Fisheries Ireland, said: “As we know, water temperatures have increased in the north Atlantic over the last few decades. This new research is suggesting that this type of climate change may have greater impact on salmon populations originating further south, like Ireland. This is because distances and time required to travel to feeding areas will increase if the boundary between Atlantic and Arctic waters move northward because of ocean warming.”

The study found that salmon released further south tended to cover longer migration distances, with a straight-line distance tracked as far as 2,400 km for one salmon tagged from River Suir in Ireland. Tagged salmon spent 80% of their time foraging at the surface and performed occasional dives of up to 870m.

Overall, populations closest in proximity tended to converge in their oceanic feeding area, but taken together the salmon populations exploit a very large part of the ocean. Given that Atlantic salmon from different geographic locations feed in distinct areas at sea, they experience different temperature regimes. For example, Irish salmon experienced much warmer temperatures, ranging from 5 to 16°C, than Norwegian and Danish salmon which experienced temperatures ranging from 0 to 11°C. These differences not only contribute to variation in growth and survival across populations, but also are likely to affect Atlantic salmon populations differently with changing climate.

Southernmost populations, like those of Ireland, are more at risk than northernmost populations as migration distances are likely to become longer, or more variable, thereby decreasing feeding time, with important consequences for the marine survival and productivity of different populations.

Taken together, these findings suggest that a common marine factor responsible for the decline in Atlantic salmon is unlikely. Importantly, this means conservation efforts should be focused locally, such as during the freshwater phase.

Dr Cathal Gallagher is the Head of Research with Inland Fisheries Ireland and he explains why the state agency was keen to support the study, saying: “Although the Atlantic salmon is one of the world’s most studied fish, detailed knowledge of its migration route at sea has been limited until now. This important large-scale study highlights the vulnerability of salmon populations to climate change and emphasises the need for continued conservation, to protect Atlantic salmon and its habitats.”

The full study, ‘Redefining the oceanic distribution of Atlantic salmon,’ can be found at Nature.com at https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-91137-y

ENDS

June 17, 2021

Inland Fisheries Launch Sponsorship Programme

Inland Fisheries Launch Sponsorship Programme

Inland Fisheries Ireland opens 2021 Sponsorship Programme

  • Initiatives which support novice anglers and sustainable angling tourism are “key priorities” for funding in 2021
  • Angling clubs, groups and associations all over Ireland invited to apply for funding ahead of Friday, 25th of June 2021 deadline

Inland Fisheries Ireland is launching its Sponsorship Programme for 2021 this week and is open for applications at 9am this Friday, 11th of June from organisers of eligible angling events and initiatives nationwide.

The programme, which is one of the main funding mechanisms of Inland Fisheries Ireland, awarded funding to 87 angling events and initiatives across the country during 2019, resulting in an investment of €30,000 to support novice anglers and angling tourism in Ireland.

Due to public health guidelines around the Covid-19 pandemic, the Sponsorship Programme didn’t go ahead in 2020 but in 2019, it supported 45 angling competitions to showcase Ireland’s angling resource and contribution to local economies. Over 800 anglers travelled from outside Ireland to participate in these competitions, such as the Lough Ree International Pike Classic and International Coarse Fishing Festivals (Longford/Roscommon), the Arvagh International Coarse Fishing Festival (Cavan) and the Irish Winter Shore Angling Festival (Wexford).

A total of 37 Coaching and Juvenile events, aimed at novice and young anglers with a view to increasing participation in the sport, along with five public awareness events and angling-related initiatives were supported in 2019. In total, over 600 juvenile and novice anglers participated in these initiatives, which included a Juvenile Angling competition held by Killaloe Ballina and District Anglers (Offaly/Tipperary), Easter and Summer Angling Camps for Children organised by the Trout Angling Federation of Ireland (Cork) and a Youth Initiative Day- Ulster organised by the Irish Federation of Sea Angling (Donegal).

Eligible events and categories in the 2021 Inland Fisheries Ireland Sponsorship Programme are as follows:

  • Large international competitions held in Ireland which showcase Ireland’s angling resources and contribution to local economies, supporting jobs and businesses (maximum sponsorship available is €3,000 per event).
  • Novice angler events and training courses which increase participation in angling including funding of transport hire for participants to facilitate attendance at novice angler events. Minimum of 20 novice angler participants required (maximum sponsorship available is €500 per event or course).
  • Information dissemination or initiatives to promote fisheries awareness, conservation and protection of the inland fisheries and sea angling resource; promotion of angling as a key Irish tourism activity e.g. Production of high quality angling promotional videos, seminars, coaching, training or workshops (maximum sponsorship available is €1,000 per event).
  • Juvenile and minority angling teams representing Ireland at international events both home and abroad (maximum sponsorship available is €500 per team).

Initiatives which support novice anglers and sustainable angling tourism are “key priorities” for funding in 2021, according to Suzanne Campion the Head of Business Development at Inland Fisheries Ireland. Launching the programme, she said: “We are delighted to make financial support available in 2021 to support key priority projects and events that will support novice and junior anglers and help grow sustainable angling tourism here in Ireland. The past year has shown us all how important engaging in outdoor activities has been for people’s physical and mental wellbeing and the Sponsorship Programme has a focus on encouraging new and novice anglers to enjoy the outdoors more by participating in angling in a sustainable manner. In addition to supporting those who are holding a rod for the first time, we also have a unique opportunity to inform novice anglers about conservation and protection of our precious wild fisheries. As the deadline to apply under the Sponsorship Programme is Friday, 25th of June we are encouraging all angling clubs, groups and associations to get in touch with us in Inland Fisheries Ireland and apply for funding through the programme.”

Applications for funding from the Sponsorship Programme are now invited from angling clubs, associations or any local group organising an angling initiative. The programme will remain open for funding applications until the 25th of June 2021 with applications for equipment, staff support and biosecurity assistance available throughout the year.

The application process opens at 9am this Friday, 11th of June. To find out more and to apply, visit https://ifi.smartsimple.ie/s_Login.jsp. Applicants will have to register to apply or if they are already registered, just log in and fill in the application form.  Awards will be subject to budget availability and adherence to the programme requirements.

ENDS

Photo captions

Pictured are junior anglers from Newport Sea Angling Club in County Mayo. The youth angling initiative received funding under the Inland Fisheries Ireland Sponsorship Programme and the 2021 Programme is now open for applications until June 25th with more info at https://ifi.smartsimple.ie/s_Login.jsp.
About Inland Fisheries Ireland (www.fisheriesireland.ie)

Inland Fisheries Ireland is a statutory body operating under the aegis of the Department of Environment, Climate and Communication (DECC) and was established under the Fisheries Act on 1st July 2010. Its principal function is the protection and conservation of the inland fisheries resource. Inland Fisheries Ireland promotes supports, facilitates and advises the Minister on the conservation, protection, management, development and improvement of inland fisheries, including sea angling. Inland Fisheries Ireland also develops policy and national strategies relating to inland fisheries and sea angling and advises the Minister on same.

June 10, 2021

New Survey About Less Well-Known Fish Species

New Survey About Less Well-Known Fish Species

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is carrying out a new survey about less well-known fish species. Some migratory fish species like salmon, and lesser-known species such as shad and the extremely rare sturgeon amongst others, are in decline in many European countries. These species spend much of their lifecycle at sea and periods in riverine habitats. As part of the multinational European project, DiadES, IFI and other project partners are assessing the recreational fishing interest in several of these species including shad, thin-lipped mullet, smelt, flounder and others (DIADES project video, Presentation Video ). This online survey will also record the economic benefits that the species support.

Dr William Roche, Senior Research Officer at Inland Fisheries Ireland said: ‘We are urging anglers who fish for these species to participate in this online survey as it will help us get a more comprehensive view of these less common species in Irish waters. In this way we can contribute to providing better information to inform future policy and management of these species, and the economic, social and cultural activities associated with them.’

Future predictions suggest that some of these species will see northward and southward changes in distribution under climate change scenarios. This may increase or decrease their availability to recreational fishing and the economic benefits they bring to businesses in local areas, as well as the enjoyment and associated health and social benefits for fishers.

If you would like to participate in the study you can find the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DiadES_IRL. It has questions about your fish catching activities and will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Your participation is very much appreciated as this study relies on your knowledge and experience as a ‘citizen scientist’ angler/fisher. In Ireland the DiadES case study area is the Suir, Nore, Barrow Rivers and the Waterford Harbour catchment but IFI is also seeking your survey information on the named fish species generally within Ireland.

For more information on Inland Fisheries Ireland visit: https://www.fisheriesireland.ie/.

ENDS

June 1, 2021

URGENT CALL FOR 2020 SALMON & SEA TROUT LOGBOOKS & TAGS TO BE RETURNED

URGENT CALL FOR 2020 SALMON & SEA TROUT LOGBOOKS & TAGS TO BE RETURNED

Monday, 26th of April 2021: Inland Fisheries Ireland is requesting all salmon and sea trout anglers who have not returned last seasons (2020) angling logbook and unused gill tags to do so immediately. The logbooks and unused gill tags are necessary to provide vital data to make evidence based decisions on Ireland’s wild Atlantic Salmon and Sea Trout stocks into the future.

In accordance with the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme, anglers are required by law to return their completed logbook (setting out their fishing and catch record), and all unused tags to the issuing office of Inland Fisheries Ireland with 7 days of licence expiry and no later than 19th of October annually.

Suzanne Campion, Head of Business Development at Inland Fisheries Ireland said: ‘Salmon stocks are at a critical point and their survival is dependent on efforts made to manage and conserve this precious species.  IFI is appealing to those anglers that have yet to return their logbooks to do so now.  Anglers’ logbooks are a key part of the management process and we need your logbook information to inform the protection and conservation of this resource for future generations of anglers and salmon.”

The return of logbooks and tags can be done via the ‘prepaid postage return envelope’ which was supplied at the time of license purchase. In the absence of the prepaid postage return envelope, anglers can return their completed logbook and unused tags to the Inland Fisheries Ireland office addressed on their licence/logbook. Alternatively scanned logbooks and licences may be emailed to salmonlogbookreturn@fisheriesireland.ie. Kindly note that both sides and any continuation pages should be included in the scan to ensure the licence names and number can be linked to the correct logbook. The records from this year’s angler returns are vital to support management decisions in 2022.

As part of the Scheme, an angler must attach a valid gill tag to a salmon (any size) or sea trout (over 40cm) immediately on landing, followed by an entry to their logbook of their catch and gill-tag used. If the fish is to be released, anglers must also make a catch record in their logbook.

Any queries in relation to the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme can be sent to salmonlogbookreturn@fisheriesireland.ie.

April 27, 2021

SEAFOOD SECTOR TASKFORCE

SEAFOOD SECTOR TASKFORCE

IFA Aquaculture welcomes the announcement of the establishment of the Seafood Sector Taskforce and has accepted the Minister’s invitation to participate.

The aquaculture sector has been severely impacted by Brexit due to delays in logistics with transport, and additional paperwork for UK customs for seafood product and trade travelling via the UK land-bridge.

Additional costs have emerged as a result of Brexit, with expected additional costs in transport and logistics, and unclarified costs, in the form of veterinary certification and inspections, upon entry into the UK as a third country.

IFA has been seeking immediate clarity from UK customs and agencies here regarding proposed costs and fees for companies trading with UK customers that could be hit with extraordinary costs for inspections fees per consignment entering the UK on a daily basis from 1st April next.

IFA looks forward to working with the members of the Taskforce and securing the best possible outcome for aquaculture producers from the recommended initiatives that will be made to the Minister to support our seafood sector and coastal communities, in particular securing a fair share for aquaculture producers from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve Fund.

 

March 2, 2021