Inland Fisheries and ESRI Announce Joint Research Programme

Thursday, 27th August 2015

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) and the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) have today (27.08.15) announced a joint research programme into the economic and social issues of inland fisheries in Ireland.

Pictured at the announcement of a joint research programme into the economic and social issues of inland fisheries in Ireland were (L-R): Dr Ciaran Byrne, (CEO, Inland Fisheries Ireland); Martin McEnroe (Board member, IFI); Suzanne Campion (Head of Business Development, IFI); Fintan Gorman (Chairman, IFI); Professor Alan Barrett (Director, ESRI); Dr Frances Lucey (Board member, IFI); and Dr John Curtis (ESRI).

The objective of the programme is to provide evidence that will support policy decisions regarding the management of the inland fisheries resource and angling within Ireland. Staff from both organisations will be involved in conducting the research, thereby ensuring skill and knowledge transfers between the two organisations. Initially, the research programme will run for three years, from 2015 to 2018.

Topics for research in 2015 may include:

An analysis of a lifetime of angling activity;
Permit allocation methods;
The economic benefits of a fishery in a rural location;
National participation rates in recreational angling;
Angling preferences and experiences among non-Irish nationals;
An analysis of recreational angling demand in Ireland;
Preferences of international tourist anglers.

The outputs of the research programme will be made widely available and will be in a format suitable for a non-specialist audience.

Speaking at the programme announcement, Dr Ciaran Byrne, CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland, said: “Economic and socio-economic information is key to good decision making. This research programme will create, improve and enhance our knowledge with regard to the inland fisheries resource and its management. It will allow for evidence based policy making which will support sustainable economic impacts and associated jobs into the future.”

Professor Alan Barrett, Director of the ESRI welcomed the partnership with IFI and noted the wealth of knowledge within both organisations. He said: “Due to its significant socio-economic contribution, Ireland’s inland fisheries and sea angling resource is a major area of relevance to current policy issues in Ireland and deserving of in-depth analysis. I am confident that this programme will add a level of understanding to the area that is worth investing in and developing.”

For more information, visit: www.fisheriesireland.ie

ENDS

Contact: Suzanne Campion, Head of Business Development, Inland Fisheries Ireland
Mob: 087-2690183 Tel: 052 6180055 Fax: 052 6123971
Email: suzanne.campion@fisheriesireland.ie Website: www.fisheriesireland.ie

Notes to Editors

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. For more information visit www.fisheriesireland.ie.