Anglers and Commercial Fishermen invited to participate in Salmon Conservation Funds – Pilot Scheme

Press Release May 20th , 2011

Advance Announcement - €120,000 Available

Update - 31/05/11.

Further Scheme details and application form

Salmon Conservation projects undertaken by or on behalf of Angling Clubs, Fishery Owners and Commercial Salmon Fishermen can now be funded from the Salmon Conservation Fund. Inland Fisheries Ireland, who manage the fund, will provide guidelines and applications forms to all interested parties. €120,000 has been made available under the pilot programme and it is anticipated that a number of projects will be undertaken throughout Ireland.

This pilot scheme will facilitate the rehabilitation of salmon stocks, giving priority to rivers below their conservation limit, which have the greatest prospect of recovery. Projects may receive different proportions of funding. Applicants must outline the benefits of the project, the ability to plan and complete the project, and value for money. Any statutory approvals necessary, such as planning permission, must be in place. The fund is wholly made up of Salmon Licence Holder contributions, therefore projects may qualify to receive match funding from other sources such as Leader etc.

What can be funded?

Fish passage improvement. (E.g. removal of barriers, modification of weirs, and construction of fish passes etc)
Spawning enhancement (addition/raking of gravel or cleaning of existing substrates)
Instream structures (weirs, deflectors, rubble mats, random boulders etc.)
River Bank protection (rock armour, log revetment etc.)
Fencing (protection of river banks including fences, stiles, cattle drinks etc.)
Riparian zone improvement (tree pruning and strategic tree planting)
Removal & control of exotic invasives (e.g. Rhododendron, Japanese knotweed, Asian Clam, Chub etc.)

‘In this era of reducing resources stakeholder involvement is crucial to ensure the conservation of our salmon stocks’ commented Dr Ciaran Byrne, CEO Inland Fisheries Ireland. ‘ This pilot programme will enhance habitat, knowledge and ultimately the wonderful angling and commercial fisheries we enjoy in Ireland adding benefit to local economies’.

Application forms and full details of the scheme will be available from May 31st, 2011 on www.fisheriesireland.ie or from any IFI office and completed applications must be returned within two weeks but at the latest, June 14th, following which evaluation will take place. Works may only commence once approval has been granted and there will be no retrospective funding.

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Media Enquiries:

Suzanne Campion
Head of Business Development
Inland Fisheries Ireland
Anglesea Street,
Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.
Tel: 052 6180055 Fax: 052 6123971;
Email: suzanne.campion@fisheriesireland.ie Website: www.fisheriesireland.ie

Notes to Editor

Inland Fisheries Ireland is a statutory body operating under the aegis of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and was established under the Fisheries Act on 1st July 2010. Its principal function is the protection and conservation of the inland fisheries resource. IFI will promote, support, facilitate and advise the Minister on, the conservation, protection, management, development and improvement of inland fisheries, including sea angling and develop and advise the Minister on policy and national strategies relating to inland fisheries and sea angling.

The Salmon Conservation Fund was set up in 2007 following a decision of Government in relation to the conservation and protection of the national wild salmon resource. The Government decided to incorporate a salmon conservation component into salmon licence fee that is to be reinvested in salmon stock rehabilitation and habitat improvement.