IFI announces 24 new projects supported under the Salmon and Sea Trout Rehabilitation, Conservation and Protection Fund in 2023

Inland Fisheries Ireland has today announced the 24 projects awarded a total of €999,272 from the Salmon and Sea Trout Rehabilitation, Conservation and Protection Fund. 

The competitive fund, administered by Inland Fisheries Ireland(IFI), supports sustainable development initiatives to ensure native salmon and sea trout can survive and thrive, and overcome challenges they face in the wild.

The transformative new fish conservation projects in 12 different counties include:

• Riverside fencing and solar pasture drinking pumps in Co. Offaly to minimise pollution by livestock encroachment in water
• A major fish barrier removal scheme in Co. Wicklow to help improve river connectivity for migratory fish and eel
• A project to curb the spread of the invasive plant species, rhododendron, on river catchments in Co. Mayo to benefit in-stream habitat quality
• Spawning enhancement and habitat restoration works in the River Boyne catchment in Co Meath
• Surveillance measures, using environmental DNA, to monitor the presence of invasive pink salmon species in Irish rivers nationwide. See IFI issues alert over Pacific pink salmon in Irish rivers.

Announcing the projects, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD, said: “I welcome the nearly €1m in funding which IFI is investing in projects across Ireland to improve and protect our incredibly important freshwater fish and their habitats.

“Our rivers are like the nature and biodiversity arteries of the country. Since the 1980s we have seen a significant deterioration in their water quality, putting our freshwater fish and their habitats under considerable stress.

“It is crucial to protect and futureproof our natural resources and this funding helps to do that. It is particularly encouraging to see applicants to the scheme taking on the stewardship over their local natural amenities.”

The Salmon and Sea Trout Rehabilitation, Conservation and Protection Fund has provided over €3.75m to different groups and fisheries development experts since 2016.

Barry Fox Head of Operations with IFI commented: “The Salmon and Sea Trout Rehabilitation, Conservation and Protection Fund is made possible through fishing licence income. Conserving and protecting fish species, like Atlantic salmon and sea trout is an integral part of IFI’s progressive and sustainable salmon management operations.”

Grants will be provided to initiatives based in: Offaly (€80.5k), Cork (€140k), Donegal (€3.5k), Galway (€78k), Clare (€42.7k), Kerry (€18k), Kildare (€6.3k), Sligo (€34.3k), Mayo (€124k), Meath (€104.2k), Wicklow (€115k), Westmeath (€73k), and national projects (€180k).