New fishing and environmental programme delivered in Dublin’s inner city

Inland Fisheries Ireland and eir join forces to roll out pilot programme in Dublin school

Tuesday, 16th May 2017: Transition year students from CBS James Street in Dublin are enjoying a new fishing and environmental programme developed and implemented as a joint initiative by Inland Fisheries Ireland and eir. The programme, which began in January and is running for 13 weeks, is attended by 15 participants from the school ranging from 16 to 18 years of age.

The initiative aims to enable students to become proficient at fly fishing with a view to introducing them to a lifelong hobby. It involves classroom lessons, fieldwork studies and practical exercises and sees participants take lessons on the art of fly fishing, fly tying and the local environment. The programme combines the contribution of staff expertise from Inland Fisheries Ireland, the state agency responsible for the inland fisheries and sea angling resource along with support from eir as part of its corporate social responsibility outreach.

Aside from classroom based lessons and outdoor exercises, students have also enjoyed field trips to Annamoe Trout Fishery, Wicklow and Courtlough Fishery, Balbriggan in recent week where they practiced their rod skills and fished for rainbow trout using fly fishing methods. The programme culminated in a return trip to Annamoe Trout Fishery yesterday where the group once again put their lessons into practice on a fishing trip, after which they will were awarded with graduation certificates from the programme organisers.

The course syllabus covers a wide range of fisheries themes from practical fishing lessons to fisheries legislation, research and environment and has been designed to fit into criteria of the President’s An Gaisce Award. It is hoped that the group will be eligible for the award as a result of their participation. The programme has received strong support from the angling community in recognition of the need to bring youngsters into the sport to secure the future of angling in Ireland.

Transition year students from CBS James Street enjoy a fishing trip as part of a pilot fishing and environmental programme delivered by Inland Fisheries Ireland and eir

Suzanne Campion, Head of Business Development said: “We would like to congratulate each of the participants on completion of this fisheries module as part of their transition year programme. We were delighted to work with eir in creating and delivering this innovative new initiative which introduces students to the fisheries resource and to the pursuit of angling.

We hope that the lessons learnt on important issues such as conservation and environmental protection will stay with students through life and that ultimately they will become custodians of our rivers and lakes. We also endeavor to get them hooked on fishing for life so it was fantastic to see a huge amount of skill evident in this group.”

Michelle Toner, Head of CSR, eir said: “Supporting and giving back to local communities is a key component of our CSR strategy We are delighted to have played such a hands on role in this initiative and very proud of the fact that one of our employees, Ciaran Ward, was instrumental in getting the programme off the ground. It has been a pleasure to work with Inland Fisheries Ireland. The feedback from the students who took part has been hugely positive. Initiatives like this are so important, not just because of the immediate benefits students learn but also for the lifelong skills they pick up”.

The pilot fisheries education programme will now be reviewed and assessed in terms of future potential roll out in other educational and community settings. For further information on Inland Fisheries Ireland, visit www.fisheriesireland.ie .

ENDS

For media information:

Órla Sheils
Communications Manager
Inland Fisheries Ireland
E: orla.sheils@fisheriesireland.ie
T: 01 8842673

Note to Editors:

Inland Fisheries Ireland is a statutory body operating under the aegis of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE) and was established under the Fisheries Act on 1st July 2010. Its principal function is the protection and conservation of the inland fisheries resource. Inland Fisheries Ireland promotes, supports, facilitates and advises the Minister on the conservation, protection, management, development and improvement of inland fisheries, including sea angling. Inland Fisheries Ireland also develops policy and national strategies relating to inland fisheries and sea angling and advises the Minister on same.