ANGLING NOTES:THE ROYAL National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) had a busy year in 2010 with launches from its 55 lifeboats exceeding 1,000 call-outs for the first time.
Howth RNLI station ranked among the top-five busiest with 59 rescues utilising the all-weather (ALB) and inshore (ILB) lifeboats.
The divisional inspector for Ireland, Martyn Smith, said: “These new figures show how much time our crews sacrifice to help those in trouble at sea.
“They spend even more time training, which is a further measure of their dedication and commitment.”
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An exciting line-up has been announced for the Ireland Angling Show scheduled for the National Show Centre in Swords, Co Dublin, on February 12th and 13th.
The two-day event will cover sea, game and coarse angling, with activities and demonstrations to suit both expert and novice anglers. New for 2011 is a fly-tying gallery with more than 30 top fly tyers from Ireland, US and Britain.
A French firm will be on hand with fishing simulators and in addition to the indoor casting pool, casting instructor Paddy McDonnell will host outside fly casting demonstrations.
Dublin Angling Initiative will provide a family zone where juniors can experience the world of angling and Matt Hayes is back to share his experience of fishing throughout the world.
A huge selection of trade stands will offer products to suit every budget.
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A small number of rods fished the Drowes Fisheries in the northern fisheries last week. Two additional salmon brought the total since opening day to six. Brendan Lyons recorded a fish from the Crooked Hole on a black Flying C and Duncan Reed accounted for a 3.9kg (8.5lb) salmon on a Garry Dog fly from The Elbow. Details 071-9841055 (mornings).
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The Atlantic Salmon Trust Fishing Auction is now in its final weeks. One lot of interest is the offer of two days for five rods at Dalmarnock on the River Tay, hosted by rugby legend Gareth Edwards.
With a starting price of £3,000 (€3,470), the offer includes two nights DBB at the East Haugh House Hotel, June 20th/21st, and fishing with Edwards on both days. Visit atlanticsalmontrust.org/auction.
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The Minister for Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith, and the Minister of State, Sean Connick, met the Marine Harvest (MH), one of the world’s biggest seafood companies, to discuss the potential for significant expansion of the industry in Ireland.
Marine Harvest has been increasingly moving to the production of premium organic salmon and this year expect that 70 per cent of its Irish production will be sold in European markets as organically produced fish.
The company employs 250 people in Ireland and 5,000 worldwide, and its fish farms in Donegal, Mayo, Cork and Kerry hope to produce between 10 and 12,000 tonnes of salmon for export this year.
In addition, MH sees the potential to double production and employment here over the next decade and sought to explore with the Ministers how aquaculture can be best expanded in existing and new offshore locations on the Irish coastline.
Mr Connick said: “I have focused heavily on the aquaculture sector as a driver of substantial permanent employment in our coastal communities. I see enormous potential for the expansion of both finfish and shellfish aquaculture.”
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The launch of the new Oughterard Anglers Boatmen’s Association website (oughterardanglers.com) will take place on February 11th in the Boat Inn, Oughterard, Co Galway at 7pm. followed by agm at 8pm.
angling@irishtimes.com