Inland Fisheries Ireland seeks nominations from angling groups for the National Inland Fisheries Forum

Thursday, 7th April 2016

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has today (07.04.16) announced the establishment of the 2nd National Inland Fisheries Forum (NIFF). Angling federations, groups and individuals are requested to nominate candidates for membership on the Forum.

The purpose of the Forum, whose establishment was provided for in the Inland Fisheries Act 2010, is to provide a mechanism to recognise the important contribution of a wide range of stakeholders to the policies of IFI, and their inputs into the sector generally. During its first term, a specific objective of the Forum was also to ensure that this contribution was not lost when the Regional Fisheries Boards were abolished as part of the process of establishing IFI.

The initial cycle of the Forum was launched in October 2011 and concluded its three-year term in 2014. Following a comprehensive review of the NIFF’s first cycle, its structure and function has been modified to enable more effective operations. In accordance with the provision in the 2010 Act, the Minister has had an input into this review process and has signed off on the revised structure.

To recognise the special role of angling stakeholders, each of the main angling organisations has been requested to nominate two of their members to represent their interests for the duration of the second cycle of the NIFF. It is anticipated that these nominees will then be appointed to the Forum by the Minister. The process of selecting the remaining members of the new Forum will be managed by the Public Appointment Service (PAS) with the support of IFI. The forum shall consist of not more than 60 members.

Commenting on the revised process for the appointment of members to the Forum, Dr Ciaran Byrne, CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland, said: “The restructured Forum provides an important opportunity for all stakeholders to contribute to the development of policies in respect of the Irish inland fisheries resource. The combined Forum membership is expected to comprise people with knowledge in the areas of recreational fisheries, environmental organisations, business, fishery owners, tourism and marketing, agriculture, aquaculture, commercial fisheries, heritage. I am confident that membership will span all appropriate sectors and regions and will lead to improved input to inland fisheries policy and future development”

The PAS has compiled an information booklet providing additional information on the recruitment process and the next cycle of the Forum. The booklet can be accessed online at: http://publicjobs.ie/publicjobs/campaignAdvert/29300.htm.

ENDS

Further Information:

Suzanne Campion
Head of Business Development
Inland Fisheries Ireland
Anglesea Street,
Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.

Tel: 052 6180055 Fax: 052 6123971
Email: suzanne.campion@fisheriesireland.ie Website: www.fisheriesireland.ie

Note for 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 promotes, supports, facilitates and advises the Minister on the conservation, protection, management, development and improvement of inland fisheries, including sea angling, and develops and advises the Minister on policy and national strategies relating to inland fisheries and sea angling.