The fisheries board will be instrumental in implementing changes required in the management of the wild salmon fishery, the Minister of State for the Marine, John Browne, said at the opening of the new headquarters of the southwestern regional fisheries board in Macroom, Co Cork, last Friday week.
"I will be providing the regional boards with an additional 4 million over the next three years to supplement their enforcement and protection effort while the new management regime for salmon becomes established," he said.
The regional boards are the statutory agencies responsible for the conservation, protection, management and development of the inland fisheries resource. In this regard, the Minister said he intended to equip the board through the National Development Plan with "appropriate resources" to undertake river habitat improvement and fish rehabilitation.
At the annual awards dinner of the Association of Rivers Trust, John Carroll, director of Slaney River Trust, was named joint winner of the Special Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Movement in Ireland.
In a remarkable double, Prof John Stoner, director of Pembrokeshire Rivers Trust and partner to the Slaney project, received the award for Outstanding Contribution by a Volunteer.
The association represents 30 rivers trusts in England and Wales and works to promote practical solutions to environmental matters. Conservation of salmonids is a major focus.
Irish Water Safety (IWS) has urged beach and rock anglers to remember key safety tips following yet another tragic drowning. Chairman Frank Nolan stressed the need to those fishing from beaches, ledges and rocks to ensure they are out of danger of rogue waves and safely positioned.
Furthermore, if unfamiliar with the location, anglers should seek local advice on tides and hazards prior to fishing. Rock and shore angling is a popular form of fishing in Ireland, particularly among non-nationals. While IWS works hard to educate the public on water safety, over the years it has seen a number of preventable deaths.
Anyone who witnesses a person falling into the sea should contact emergency services immediately on 999 or 112, and ask for Marine Rescue. "In short, the message is to respect the sea and don't take unnecessary risks," Nolan said. Contact: info@iws.ie.
Reminder: Last date for submission of specimen claims to the Irish Specimen Fish Committee (ISFC) is November 30th. Claims should be sent to Dr William Roche, ISFC Secretary, Central Fisheries Board, Swords Business Campus, Swords, Co Dublin. Contact: www.irish-trophy-fish.com.
Poor weather curtailed the annual international deep-sea boat competition held recently at Courtmacsherry in west Cork, to a species event in the bay. Nevertheless, the 10 teams of five anglers from Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg and England, along with several Irish teams, enjoyed the day and accumulated a huge points tally.
In first place, with a combined score of 5,043 points, was the Condon's Warriors team, which included Pat Condon, Ken Hegarty, Mike Hennessy and brothers Ken and Ian Murphy. At a prizegiving in the Anchor Bar, they were presented with a cheque for €1,000, sponsored by Courtmacsherry Angling Centre, and the Waterford Glass Perpetual Trophy.
Around the fisheries
Annamoe Trout Fisheries, Co Wicklow: Teenager Troy Francis from Blessington continued his winning form at last weekend's third qualifying heat for the Scierra Winter League Fly Fishing Competition with six good rainbows, sufficient to clinch pole position on the day and qualification to the final in two weeks' time.
His winning tactics included a floating line with sink tip and a combination of Twinkle Hare's Ear and Orange Woolley Bugger flies.
Francis was overall winner of the Dublin Angling Initiative Youth Fly Casting Tournament, which was held in conjunction with the Emerald World Fly Casting Championships at Carton House, Maynooth, Co Kildare, in September.
Two qualifying heats remain in this popular league, details of which can be obtained by contacting Brian Nally at 0404-45470 orannamoefishery@eircom.com.
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