Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has introduced a new pilot scheme through which angling clubs and organisations can access funding to undertake sustainable development works in the Midland Fisheries Group permit area. Launched by Minister Fergus O’ Dowd, the Midland Fisheries Fund has an initial allocation of €50,000 which has been created from angler contributions set-a-side from the Permit Income received by IFI in the Midlands Fisheries Group permit area.
This scheme, which is similar in design to the Salmon Conservation Fund, will allow for habitat improvement but importantly also includes angling development projects. Successful applications will be provided with technical assistance to help them become reality and will foster links between the fishery owners, state agencies and land owners. The application process itself will instill confidence in project promoters who are often apprehensive due to the complicated nature of forms and permissions. It is exclusive to the Midland Fisheries Group area and is only open to clubs in that area.
Launching the MFF Minister Fergus O’ Dowd stated ‘this fund reaffirms IFI’s objective to facilitate stakeholders to undertake sustainable development works. These works will enhance and improve fisheries habitats and angling tourism potential and the contribution the inland fisheries resource makes to the economy’. The Minister who is currently undertaking a public consultation exercise at various venues around the country in relation to the review of fisheries legislation was encouraged by the angling stakeholders enthusiasm, knowledge and interest in protecting, managing and developing the resource and commented ‘ this scheme encapsulates the partnership approach between IFI and its stakeholders, ensuring projects are environmentally sustainable, undertaken with the appropriate permissions and guidance and developed by local angling clubs for the benefit of locals and tourists alike’.
Application forms are available from www.fisheriesireland.ie or from IFI Limerick. The closing date for receipt of application forms is June 15th and an information evening will take place in Lough Owel Angling Centre on May 14th, 2013 at 6.30 – 8.30pm.
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 promotes, supports, facilitates and advises the Minister on, the conservation, protection, management, development and improvement of inland fisheries, including sea angling. It also develops and advises the Minister on policy and national strategies relating to inland fisheries and sea angling.www.fisheriesireland.ie
The Midland Fisheries Group
For Informaiton see http://fishinginireland.info/
The Midlands Fisheries Group covers the following waters:
| Catchment Area | Rivers | Lakes |
| River Inny | River Inny | Lough Owel |
| Lough Derravaragh | ||
| Lough Patrick | ||
| Lough Sheelin | ||
| Lough Kinale | ||
| Lough Glore | ||
| Bracklough lake | ||
| River Brosna | River Brosna | Lough Ennell |
| Silver River | Ballinafid Lake | |
| Clodiagh River | Doolin Lake | |
| Gageborough River | McEvoys Lake | |
| Slevins Lake | ||
| Mount Dalton | ||
| Lake Sheever | ||
| Pallas Lake | ||
| Little Brosna | Little Brosna River | |
| Camcor River | ||
| River Suck | Island River | Lough Acalla |
| River Shiven | Hollygrove Lake | |
| Killian River | Lough O Flynn | |
| Ahascragh River | Stonehams Lake | |
| Killeglan River | Lough Loung | |
| Clooncar River | ||
| Bunowen River | ||
| Castlegar River | ||
| Tirur River | ||
| Camlin River | and tributaries |