Minister O' Dowd launches the Midland Fisheries Fund

News Release - 03/05/13

Minister O' Dowd launches the Midland Fisheries Fund

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has today 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.

Dr Ciaran Byrne, CEO Inland Fisheries Ireland and Minister Fergus O Dowd, TD, Minister of State with responsibility for Natural Resources.

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 this website 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.

...Ends...

Claim form

• Midland Fisheries Fund - Claim Form (463 kB)

Media enquiries

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

The Midland Fisheries Group

For Informaiton see http://fishinginireland.info/news/other-news/midland-fisheries-group-permit-available-to-purchase-online/

The Midlands Fisheries Group covers the following waters: