There's something fishy going on in Drogheda

Press Release 17th May 2011

Youngsters from Longwood National school enjoying a river field trip on the River Mattock (tributary of the River Boyne, Co. Meath)

Fisheries Awareness Week took place from 7-15th May and as part of this many angling events, seminars and river trail walks took place along the East coast. One such event was a school presentation and field trip at Battle of the Boyne Visitors Centre at Oldbridge in Drogheda, Co. Meath.

Here pupils from Duleek Boys and Longwood National Schools took part in a historical tour of the Battle of the Boyne visitors centre. This was then be followed by a presentation on the ecology of the Boyne river which covered the lifecycle of salmon and the fisheries resource. A field trip then took place to the Mattock river, where children practically experienced nature, the river and its broader environment.

Fisheries staff from the Drogheda district took kick samples and were ably assisted by the children who ranged in age from 10-12 years. From this they identified invertebrates and the children’s delight could be heard far and wide as they found many different species of mayfly, stonefly and caddis fly! Looking at water pollution indicators children could establish that the presence of these different types of invertebrates can indicate the good water quality in the river. Following this, electrofishing took place whereby children could measure the fish and examine the age classes of salmon and trout.

This is part of the ‘Something Fishy’ project which is being developed by Inland Fisheries Ireland. The purpose of the programme is to create awareness of the fisheries resource and to educate fifth and sixth class children on the importance of their local environment, fishery habitat and Ireland’s fish species. This particular element has been in association with the staff from the Office of Public Works and Inland Fisheries Ireland, Blackrock. To date it has proved a highly successful way of encouraging young people to take an interest in Irish fish species, their local environment and habitat. In total 200 children from the Drogheda area are participating in this programme from a number of national schools

These events were part of fisheries awareness week organised Inland Fisheries Ireland. The main purpose of this week was to introduce people to angling and a series of events were held around the country, see www.faw.ie

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Media enquiries

Josie Mahon,
Inland Fisheries Ireland,
15A Main Street, Blackrock, Co. Dublin
Tel: 01 278 7022 / 087 6538202
email: josie.mahon@fisheriesireland.ie
Website: www.fishinginireland.info

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.