New fishing outreach initiative reels in the novice anglers in Galway

New fishing outreach initiative reels in the novice anglers in Galway

Canney supports pilot programme based in Tuam

Wednesday, 28th November 2018: A new educational initiative is introducing young people in Galway to fishing. The programme, called the Outdoor Ranger Tuam Angling Education Programme, provides angling information sessions, skills workshops and fishing excursions to young people who may be interested in trying out the pursuit.

Sean Canney TD, Minister of State with responsibility for the Inland Fisheries expressed his full support for the Tuam based programme and welcomed the funding from Inland Fisheries Ireland’s National Strategy for Angling Development Fund to support its roll out.

Minister Canney said: “This programme will encourage and engage young people in angling and allow experienced volunteer anglers from local clubs to pass on their knowledge and skills to the next generation. Collaboration such as this is vital to ensure that these skills, developed over many years, are not lost. I am particularly pleased that the Outdoor Ranger Tuam Angling Education Programme is supported locally by Cairde an Chláir working with Inland Fisheries Ireland.”

From (L-R): Gerard Kelly Outdoor Ranger, Owen Trill, Galway International Fly Tier, Minister Sean Canney TD, Pat Gorman Inland Fisheries Ireland, Damien Kelly Outdoor Ranger

The programme commenced in October with strong uptake on the initiative with participants enjoying guest appearances from well-known anglers during the programme. Nathan Creaven from Kilconly, Tuam who fly fished for Ireland earlier this year, demonstrated his fly tying skill and Owen Trill, International Fly tier from Galway, gave a fly tying demonstration at one of the skills workshops.

The information sessions and skills workshops aimed to provide students with the basic skills necessary for recreational angling. Young people took several lessons on several topics including: sustaining quality habitats, line rigging, baiting, knot tying, casting techniques, fish retrieval, fish handling, catch and release, rules and regulations of angling and bio security. In addition, they enjoyed a fishing trip to Oughterard Fishing School where they had the opportunity to put their new found angling skills to practise.

The programme received funding from Inland Fisheries Ireland’s National Strategy for Angling Development Fund. The National Strategy for Angling Development aims to ensure that Ireland’s angling resource is protected and conserved in an environmentally sustainable manner for future generations to enjoy while also striving to make angling an accessible and attractive pursuit for all.

Suzanne Campion, Head of Business Development at Inland Fisheries Ireland said: “We are delighted to support the Outdoor Ranger Tuam Angling Education Project through our National Strategy for Angling Development. It is through partnerships such as this one, where local fishing clubs and associations are working together in a constructive and positive manner, that we will secure the future of our fisheries resource. I would like to congratulate all involved and look forward to welcoming our novice anglers back to fish many times in years to come.”

Teresa Kelly from Outdoor Ranger shop in Tuam said: “Learning to become an angler is something we took for granted when we were young. We took our bike out and headed off to the river for the day. But this is a thing of the past and the amount of young people that don’t know anything about angling, or that it’s even a sport, is shocking - especially as we have the finest rivers and lakes at our door step. This is the issue that the Outdoor Ranger Tuam Angling Education programme wants to highlight and also to make changes by providing information and day trips out fishing with young people to give them to the opportunity to learn and gain a love of angling.”

ENDS

For media information:

Órla Sheils

Communications Manager

T; 01 8842673

E: orla.sheils@fisheriesireland.ie

 

About Inland Fisheries Ireland

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.