THE Minister of State for Marine and Natural Resources, Conor Lenihan, heralded the establishment of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) last Thursday week as a “historic development in the way we protect, conserve and develop our inland fisheries resource”.
We need an organisation fit for purpose in the 21st century and capable of adopting to strategic issues, he said. In contrast to the previous situation with more than 150 board members, the new structure will comprise just nine. In line with Government policy for rationalisation of State bodies, IFI will replace the central and seven regional boards; the National Salmon Commission and eight fisheries co-operatives.
More than 400 staff are currently employed by the fisheries boards to manage 70,000km of rivers and streams and 144,800 hectares of lakes. Staffing needs of the new structure will be met through existing resources. However, there will be no increase in staff numbers.
While it is difficult to quantify savings now, it is expected costs will be reduced significantly. The budget for the sector for 2010 has already been reduced by more than €2 million.
Expressing his appreciation for the dedication and commitment to those who served on the former fisheries boards, the minister said he was confident they will continue to contribute to the management and development of the sector in the national interest.
The new IFI board members are: Brendan O’Mahony, chairman; Dr Ciaran Byrne, chief executive; Lal Faherty; Dr Frances Lucey; Lily Collison and Andrew Duncan. Four further board members will be appointed later.
** Following last week’s Angling Notes article on the decision to open a pilot salmon draft net fishery in Castlemaine Harbour, Co Kerry, the following email was received from a Killorglin reader.
“You state that three of the rivers flowing into Castlemaine Harbour are in a healthy state. This is the view the now defunct South Western Fisheries Board would like us to believe. No sensible person shares this view.
“Only the River Maine has a counter. There is therefore no way of being certain the other two rivers, the Laune and Caragh, have sustainable stocks. All evidence points to the fact that stocks in all three rivers are in dire need of protection.
“The salmon has no chance of long-term survival if netting of any kind is permitted. The draft nets should be bought out now under a compulsory scheme and poaching stamped out.
“Finally it is worth noting that the level of poaching in Castlemaine Harbour and the estuaries of its five rivers has never been greater.”
** Rainfall led to a small rise in the Moy towards the end of the week where the grilse run appears to be well under way. The Moy Fishery provided fantastic fishing, with a total of 215 salmon, but all sections of the river enjoyed a great run of fish.
** Blustery winds led to mixed conditions on Lough Conn. However, some anglers took advantage of breaks in the weather. Fishing out of Pontoon Bridge Hotel, Ken Oliver, Scotland, had success on dry flies, boating two trout for 2.3kg (5lbs) while Colm Corbett, UK, had three to the Golden Olive (relax@pontoonbridge.com).
** “We had a great flood with plenty of fish passing through the fishery,” according to Lough Inagh manager, Colin Folan. While anglers are concentrating on salmon, a great number of sea trout are being caught on the lake and the river.
Contact 086-8679459 or inagh@iol.ie.
** The Irish Federation of Sea Anglers (IFSA) under-21 and under-16 teams both took gold medals at the home nations shore event in Scotland last weekend, according to IFSA spokesman Brian Cooke.
This is a historic first for Ireland and together with last month’s gold in the home nations’ senior boat event in Belmullet, Co Mayo, speaks well of the standard of competitive Irish angling.
Fishing was on sandy surf venues for a variety of flatfish. Congratulations to all team members, managers and coaches.
angling@irishtimes.com