Gone Fishing… ...for free!

Press release May 8th, 2012

That’s where Inland Fisheries Ireland want you to be during Fisheries Awareness Week. From May 12th to 20th Fisheries Awareness Week events will be taking place all across the country. Details of all the events (70+) are on www.FAW.ie . Events are free and with so much going on and there is sure to be something happening near you.

Minister Fergus O Dowd, Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources launched FAW today with the exciting announcement that the permit fee is waived for fishing on Inland Fisheries Irelands trout and coarse permitted fisheries during FAW. Minister O Dowd noted that 'recreational fishing in Ireland is often a shared family or group activity, contributing to community cohesion and development. It also provides benefits through its outdoor, physical nature for individuals, and brings a shared responsibility of our fisheries resources.'

Encouraging everyone to get involved, Suzanne Campion, Head of Business development with IFI stated 'This is a great opportunity to try fishing. There is old fishing gear lying in the back of sheds all around the country and now is the time to dust it off and get together with friends and family for a fun days fishing. Simply go to www.faw.ie for details of events or to apply for your free permit.'

FAW events include Balsam Bashes, Flytying, Family Fun Days, sea, pike, coarse and game angling. Some are IFI events while many have been organised in conjunction with Angling Clubs and Federations, City and Town Councils and An Taisce . Most events are free, while some require advance booking . There are 70 events in 22 counties, so there is plenty of choice and opportunity.
...Ends...

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

Free Fishing

Details of free fishing locations and registration are on www.faw.ie.

Balsam Bashing

Himalayan balsam(Impatiens glandulifera)
This annual plant grows to 3 metres high and is spread exclusively by seed. The seed pods explode when mature, scattering the small seeds up to 7 metres from the parent plant. The plants grow in dense stands along the banks of rivers. Himalayan balsam can take over large areas of river bank or damp habitat. As well as causing problems for native species, Himalayan balsam substantially increases the risk of riverbank erosion. It does this by stopping native bankside vegetation growing. The roots of these natives would bind the banks. With just balsam in the autumn, when it dies it leaves only bare soil that is easily eroded and washed away by rain or flood events.
During Fisheries Awareness Week (12 – 20th May ’12) Inland Fisheries Ireland will be running a number of ‘Balsam bashes’. Go to www.FAW.ie for details
The Reason Why Himalayan Balsam ‘Bashing’ Can Be Successful
It is possible to eradicate Himalayan balsam (not an option with most invasive plant species) from infested river catchments because its morphology and life cycle display a number of weaknesses that are uncharacteristic of such high profile invasive species. These include:

the plant has an annual life cycle, meaning it germinates, grows, flowers, seeds and dies in the one year;
the tall plant has a shallow root ball so easily removed by pulling;
the plant has no natural defence mechanisms, such as thorns or bristles, to make pulling difficult or hazardous;
the majority of the seeds germinate after one year and
seeds are the only propagation method of this species.

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 promotes, supports, facilitates and advises the Minister on, the conservation, protection, management, development and improvement of inland fisheries, including sea angling. It also develops and advises the Minister on policy and national strategies relating to inland fisheries and sea angling. www.fisheriesireland.ie