The Minister with responsibility for the Inland Fisheries Sector has confirmed funding to the value of €2.2m by Inland Fisheries Ireland to 115 angling development and conservation initiatives including two in Co Clare.
The funding is being made available as part of its National Strategy for Angling Development, Salmon Conservation Fund and Midlands Fisheries Fund.
Two angling development projects in Clare have been awarded funding. They are:
Fanore, North Co. Clare – Angling equipment for Juvenile Training and Coaching Programme – Lisdoonvarna Fanore Sea Angling Club (€6,875)
Derg Isle Adventure Centre, Carrowmore – Angling equipment to develop youth angling – Ducey’s Personal Development Academy (€2,000)
The projects, which focus on improving Ireland’s inland fisheries and sea angling resource, will begin delivery in 2018. In total, applications for over 140 projects were received bringing the overall value of projects applying for funding to above €2.9million.
The 2017 Funding Call was first announced in August 2017 with local groups and individuals including local development associations, tidy towns, angling clubs, local authorities and others invited to apply for funding, with 115 angling development projects being awarded funding to the value of €2.2m.
The scheme is part of Inland Fisheries Ireland’s National Strategy for Angling Development. The Strategy aims to ensure that Ireland’s fish stocks and angling infrastructure are protected and enhanced with a view to ensuring a sustainable habitat and delivering the economic, health and recreational benefits they offer to communities across Ireland.
Inland Fisheries Ireland is aiming to grow the angling sector’s socio-economic contribution of €836 million per year by an additional €60 million annually through the Strategy. This will be achieved by driving angling participation among domestic and overseas visitors, which in turn is supported by improving access to fishing and developing angling infrastructure.
Suzanne Campion, Head of Business Development at Inland Fisheries Ireland said: “The 2017 Funding Call has been inundated with strong project applications and we are delighted to announce the 115 projects which have secured support, following a detailed review process. The first Funding Call was in 2016, but the demand for improvements in angling access and development continues apace The latest funding call was oversubscribed, confirming that rural communities across Ireland are engaged with angling and recognise the value of the fisheries resource to their local area.”