Salmon Conservation Fund – 2012 Scheme opened

Press Release December 2nd, 2012

Salmon Conservation Scheme 2012 is now open. Applications are invited for salmon conservation projects to a maximum value of €10,000 per project. 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 Pat Rabbitte, TD, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. ‘I am aware of the success of the 2011 pilot scheme and am pleased at the extension of the scheme for 2012, increasing the fund available to €200,000. This scheme has been proven to 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 are available on www.fisheriesireland.ie/Salmon-Management/salmon-conservation-fund-application.html or from any IFI office and completed applications must be returned by March 31st, 2012 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.