New project at Ballisodare Town, Co. Sligo will help protect important fishery
New project at Ballisodare Town, Co. Sligo will help protect important fishery
Inland Fisheries Ireland funds €20K protection project
Tuesday, 26th February 2019: A new project at Ballisodare Fishing Club outside Ballisodare Town will help protect this important fishery. The private fishery, which was developed last year to include a state of the art fishery office and two public viewing platforms, is a renowned salmon angling destination. The fishery was vulnerable to illegal fishing and a protection programme was required to ensure the sustainability of local fish stocks.
The project, which was devised and delivered by the club, was supported with funding from Inland Fisheries Ireland’s National Strategy for Angling Development. Director of Ballisodare Fishery Ltd and Ballisodare Fishing Club successfully secured funding of €20,000 from Inland Fisheries Ireland in October 2017 with the project completed a year later in October 2018.
This section of the fishery was vulnerable to illegal activity in the past as Ballisodare Fishery is the entry point for salmon from the tide into the freshwater and large numbers of fish are often present. It is hoped that the security system will now support protection activities with the installation of modern security lighting alongside a CCTV system to allow for 24 hour monitoring of the fishery. The high standard security system incorporates security cameras which have a night vision mode and flood lighting.
Suzanne Campion, Head of Business Development at Inland Fisheries Ireland said: “Our National Strategy for Angling Development aims to ensure that Ireland’s fish stocks and angling infrastructure are protected and enhanced with a view to ensuring a sustainable habitat for our indigenous fish populations and the delivery of economic, health and recreational benefits which the fisheries resource offers to communities across Ireland.
This new protection system in Ballisodare will play an important role in deterring illegal fishing and catching those who continue to commit offences. This is crucial if we want to conserve this resource for future generations. It is fitting that this project has been completed just as we celebrate International Year of the Salmon which takes place in 2019 and offers us an opportunity to start a conversation about the importance of conservation and how we can inspire action in this regard across Ireland.”
For more information about Inland Fisheries Ireland, visit www.fisheriesireland.ie .
ENDS
For more information:
- Órla Sheils
- Communications Manager
- Inland Fisheries Ireland
- E: orla.sheils@fisheriesireland.ie
- T: 01 8848673
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About Inland Fisheries Ireland
Inland Fisheries Ireland is a statutory body operating under the aegis of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE) and was established under the Fisheries Act on 1st July 2010. Its principal function is the protection and conservation of the inland fisheries resource. Inland Fisheries Ireland promotes supports, facilitates and advises the Minister on the conservation, protection, management, development and improvement of inland fisheries, including sea angling. Inland Fisheries Ireland also develops policy and national strategies relating to inland fisheries and sea angling and advises the Minister on same.
