Considering the serious problems confronting angling in Ireland, it is crucial that every effort is made to unite members of various bodies to protect the sport, declared Mr Hugh O'Rorke, honorary secretary of the Angling Council of Ireland (ACI) at its first agm in SportHQ, Park West Office Park, Dublin.
The main objective of ACI is to address the problems common to all, which include conservation, pollution and over-exploitation of fish stocks. In the past, representation by individual groups to Government had resulted in little if any success, he said.
Formed in 2002 at the behest of the Irish Sports Council, ACI today commands support from all national bodies, namely: the Trout Angling Federation of Ireland; the Irish Federation of Sea Anglers; the National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland; the Irish Federation of Pike Angling Clubs; and the Federation of Irish Salmon and Sea Trout Anglers. The Association of Professional Game Angling Instructors is an associate member.
The Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, John O'Donoghue, officially launched the council last June at SportHQ and the fully equipped office has meeting facilities, a cafeteria and adequate parking. In October, Ms Ann Penny was appointed as part-time office administrator.
The agm agreed to select four members to participate in a coaching and training course due to commence next month at the NCTC in Limerick University. On completion, a degree will be awarded to successful candidates.
It was also agreed to further strengthen the ACI as the main voice of Irish angling by amalgamating with the European Anglers Alliance (Ireland).
The three officers, John O'Hare (TAFI), chairman; Hugh O'Rorke (IFSA), secretary and Brendan Coulter (NCFFI), treasurer, were returned unopposed.
• In one of his last fisheries-related duties as Minister of State at the Department of Marine, Pat "the Cope" Gallagher launched the Handbook of Angling Club Organisation on behalf of Recreation Angling Ireland (RAI). The central and regional fisheries boards and Sports Council financed the publication.
The RAI was established in 2002 to develop training programmes and to raise the profile of the recreational fishing sector. One of its principal aims is to encourage young people to take up the sport and the RAI has already sponsored a series of one-day sessions which explained the various aspects of angling. These events proved a great success and resulted in many new recruits for local clubs.
To receive a free copy of the handbook, contact Paddy Byrne at 045-433068 or 066-7122759, or download a copy from www.recreationalanglingireland.com
• Salmon, trout, stickleback, stoneloach, minnow and roach, as well as marine species such as crab, anenone, shanny and rockling have all settled in to new aquarium tanks at the Loughs Agency Riverwatch Visitor Centre at Prehen, Derry.
The tanks give visitors an opportunity to observe salt and freshwater species up close - how they move, feed and interact with each other. Footage of the local environment and exhibits of fish species, angling and conservation are also on display at the centre.
Gillian Simpson of the Loughs Agency said: "The aquarium tanks are a fantastic addition to the Riverwatch Visitor Centre and provide a great opportunity for local people to learn about their environment."
The centre is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm. Evening and weekend openings can be arranged for groups on request.
• Boyle & District Angling Club held a members' competition on Lough Skean, Co Roscommon, last Sunday. The winner on the day and oldest club member, Joe Tormey, boated seven pike for 15.9kg. Morgan McGowan landed the heaviest at 6.1kg. Ten boats ventured out and 48 fish were caught and returned alive.
• Courtmacsherry in West Cork again set the pace for the first specimens of 2006. Fishing from the Lady Louise last weekend, a group led by Gerry Power caught conger to 15.9kg, pollock to 3.6kg and ling, including two specimens of 15.9kg and 11.8kg for Cork City angler Noel Lane. These two ling bring his total to 21 different species of specimen fish.
• A reminder that the 50th annual awards presentation of the Irish Specimen Fish Committee will take place at the Doyle Burlington Hotel, Dublin, next Saturday at 2.30 pm.