IFI announces Sligo school as top ‘catch’ in competition
A primary school in Sligo has won the national ‘Something Fishy’ competition run by Inland Fisheries Ireland(IFI).
Fifth-class pupils at Sooey NS in Srananagh, Co. Sligo, scooped first prize with their video project showing the lifecycle of salmon.
Sooey NS Fifth class pupils with their teacher Aoife Ni Dhuigneain and IFI staff Ciaran Jennings, Markus Muller & Stuart Price (L-R)
The competition is part of the Something Fishy educational programme organised by IFI in conjunction with Blackrock Education Centre.
The initiative involves school visits, field trips, and hands-on learning about the freshwater environment.
Sooey NS pupils participate in hands-on environmental sampling
Announcing the winning school, Barry Fox, Head of Operations at IFI said: "I congratulate Sooey National School in Sligo for winning this year’s national Something Fishy competition.
"The school's winning project was a short video made by the children which brings the viewer through the lifecycle of salmon, and has some fun along the way.
"The IFI Something Fishy programme helps bring pupils and their teachers out to their local river to understand what lives there – and how it needs to be protected – sparking a lifelong connection to nature.
"Through cultivating an early appreciation of our freshwater environment, the programme aims to encourage future generations to continue to look after Ireland’s precious natural resources."
Sooey NS pupils study a river as part of Something Fishy
This year over 2,000 primary school pupils across the country participated in the Something Fishy programme, which is aimed at children aged 10 to 13.
The programme provides education on biodiversity and sustainable habitats, as well as the water cycle, fish, and angling.
On completion of the programme, primary school pupils are invited to create and submit a project that demonstrates their learnings.
Sooey NS Fifth class pupils with their teacher Aoife Ni Dhuigneain and IFI staff
More information about the programme is available at somethingfishy.ie.
