We know more about the moon than the bottom of the sea, a group of marine scientists said at a conference in Dublin Castle last Wednesday. The distinguished gathering met to propose a common framework for mapping underwater life across Europe, and also to reveal findings to date of the Mesh (Mapping European Seabed Habitats) project.
"In Ireland, Mesh techniques have been developed within the Irish National Seabed Survey Programme and within Infomar - the successor project to map inshore waters," said Marine Institute chief executive Dr Peter Heffernan in his welcoming address.
Mesh aims to produce a detailed marine atlas and a template of surveys in any given part of Europe, thus making the results instantly comparable. An exciting development in June will be the launch of Mesh Guidance, a web-based document explaining how to design, carry out and interpret a marine survey.
Prof Gary Greene of Moss Landing Marine Laboratories in the US said: "Just as maps of ecological habitats are essential to land-based planning, so marine habitat maps are important, as industries such as fishing, aquaculture and coastal activities place more demands on marine resources."
Almost three million people who receive Disability Living Allowance in England and Wales will be eligible for a half-price fishing licence from April 1st. A review by the Environment Agency, the Disability Rights Commission and British Disabled Angling Association found further scope for the revised tariff beyond the 30,000 Blue Badge holders that already claim the concession.
"Angling is one of the most popular outdoor activities among people with disabilities and we anticipate an extra 45,000 will avail of the half-price licence," said Environment Agency head of fisheries Dafydd Evans.
A unique opportunity to fish for the two prime September weeks at the Ryabaga Camp on the Ponoi River in Russia has become available.
For the past decade these weeks have been fished privately by a select group of rods that has decided not to return for this year.
The weeks in question have stood alone in the quality and number of fresh autumn salmon, with the catch records showing the best week yielding more than 600 fish to just 10 rods.
Cost per rod is $11,165 excluding travel to and from Murmansk, visas and gratuities. Rods are available on a first come, first served basis. For further information, e-mail Justin.staal@frontierstrvl.co.uk
By all accounts the Loughs Agency Fair in Prehen, Co Derry, last weekend was a resounding success, with more than 4,500 visitors, including many from overseas. This year's event included a two-day Open Spey Casting Championships, which attracted competitors from Scotland and from across Ireland.
Gordon Armstrong from Scotland set the record books alight with one mighty cast. Not content with winning the two-day competition, Armstrong achieved a new world record on Saturday with a magnificent spey cast of 206.3ft. Sponsors of the championships included Haslet & Co; Johnston Contracts; Kane's Quarry (all Co Tyrone) and Professional Angling Guides & Instructors Network.
The lakes at Corkagh Park Fishery in Dublin continue to provide excellent sport. Fish of the week fell to Noel Foley with a rainbow of 6.4kg and Tommy Egan had 20 fish last Tuesday. On the carp lake, Al Walshe managed a fine mirror carp of 5.2kg, bringing his total to 26 for the week. Tel: 01-4592622.
Commencing last Saturday and continuing for 10 weeks, Rathbeggan Lakes in Dunshaughlin, Co Meath will include in their weekly stocking a tagged fish worth €100 to the lucky captor. The rules are simple: the fish must be caught on a fly, dispatched and presented at the lodge on a "take fish" ticket.
The Irish Ladies Fly Fishing Association is holding the first trial of the season for the 2008 Home International team at Ballyhass Lakes, Mallow, Co Cork on Saturday, March 31st. Registration opens at 10.15am, and fishing is from 11am until 6pm.
Affiliated and new members wishing to participate are asked to contact Orla Walsh on 087-21444395 or Julie Gerry at jmgerry@gmail.com
The 17th Annual Open Wetfly Charity Fishing Competition in aid of muscular dystrophy (Kerry) will be held on Lough Lein, Killarney, on Sunday, April 22nd. To date, the event has raised more than €118,000 for various charities.