Public-Private Collaboration Improves Life for Trout and Salmon on Lough Corrib’s Tributaries

Press release 23/08/13

A recent collaboration between the State agency, Inland Fisheries Ireland, angling clubs and private individuals with close links to Lough Corrib is helping to improve matters for trout and salmon stocks in the catchment area.

Over recent years State funding has been decreasing for habitat improvement and stream rehabilitation work on salmonid spawning and nursery streams. Local angling clubs and concerned individuals have recognised this, and stepped in to assist with funding to ensure this vital work on such a crucial natural resource continues. A joint initiative between Cairde Loch Coiribe and the Clydagh Foundation has sponsored spawning and nursery rehabilitation projects on a number of Corrib streams. Cairde Loch Coiribe raises funds from various angling clubs around the lake through the Corrib Federation, while the Clydagh Foundation invests in enhancement projects on the Corrib spawning streams. Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) staff, who have years of expertise in this area, design and supervise the projects.

Public-Private Collaboration Improves Life for Trout and Salmon on Lough Corrib’s Tributaries

IFI staff and members if the Clydagh Foundation

This important work enhances habitat for spawning adult trout and salmon, and increases the nursery ground available for young fish to grow and mature. Electro-fishing surveys carried out by IFI before and after similar works have shown that juvenile fish stocks can be increased significantly by such enhancement. It is hoped that these juvenile fish will eventually grow and augment the stocks of fish available for game angling. Local clubs including Kilbeg, Ballindiff, Headford and Collinamuck have assisted in the most recent projects in their respective areas. Enhancement projects for 2013 have been identified and it is hoped to commence in the coming months.

Example of pre and post work view of river

Side by side before and after images of the Ballynalty River

These projects complement on-going works by the OPW’s Drainage Division, under their Environmental River Enhancement Programme. This programme is carried out through liaison with IFI to improve fish habitat on previously drained channels.

Tourism angling is a major part of the local economy around Lough Corrib, and it is expected that this work will have tangible economic benefits.
For more information on survey work carried out by Inland Fisheries Ireland, visit www.fisheriesireland.ie and www.wfdfish.ie

...ENDS...

Further Information

Kevin Crowley,
Inland Fisheries Ireland
Email: kevin.crowley@fisheriesireland.ie
Tel:. 091 563118 Mobile: 087 2582147

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.