Press Release

National pike and trout policies review

PRESS RELEASE -Monday, 4th July 2016

National pike and trout policies review

  

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has today (04/07/2016) published the indicative timetable for the review of the National Pike and Trout Policies. Following the appointment of a Policy Review Group later this month, the review process will commence with a scoping consultation which will be open to all interested parties.

 

IFI has long recognised that public policy-making can be enhanced through the active involvement and contribution of all stakeholders and has set out how it will develop policies and consult with stakeholders in its IFI Procedure on Policy Developmentand IFI Stakeholder Consultation Policy. It is expected that the updated Pike and Trout policy documents will be available in July 2017.

A policy group will be appointed shortly and will comprise of five IFI staff from the Research, Operations and Business Development divisions.

Dr Byrne, CEO of IFI said “IFI is committed to consulting with stakeholders and the general public on matters of inland fisheries policy. I expect the forthcoming scoping consultation process to gather useful information that will provide an evidence base for the update of the pike and trout policies in tandem.

“An agreed view from angler stakeholder groups would be most welcome and I urge the representative groups to work for such an outcome. I encourage all domestic and tourist anglers, tourism providers and the general public to provide their views on the important issues regarding the management of our important pike and trout species.”

IFI acknowledges the upcoming protest being staged by pike interests and can confirm that no decision has been taken regarding the cessation or otherwise of pike management operations in designated trout waters for 2017. IFI has accelerated the review of the policies and is working to ensure the completion of this exercise in as consultative way as possible that ensures all interested parties have input to policy formulation .

As advised previously work continues within IFI regarding the examination of:

  • The current stock management programme, including resource usage, fish transfer and health and safety;
  • Marketing and socio-economic information to include actual and potential economic value;
  • Scientific information to provide advice and to consider the scientific merits of the processes being currently undertaken.

See the timeline for the review process here: Indicative Timelines.pdf

ENDS

Further Information:  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

Note for Editors:

Inland Fisheries Irelandis 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, and develops and advises the Minister on policy and national strategies relating to inland fisheries and sea angling.