Youth groups on board Irish Naval Ship as part of Dublin Angling Initiative

Wednesday, 3rd August 2016: The 1st Meath Adventure Scouts from Dunboyne and Sphere 17 youthgroup from Darndale, Dublin recently participated in a visit on board the Irish Naval Ship LE Ciara. During a short break in Dublin port to refuel on July 25th, the Commanding Officer of LE Ciara gave kind permission for a visit to the ship which was facilitated by the Dublin Angling Initiative of Inland Fisheries Ireland.

Groups from 1st Meath Adventure Scouts and Darndale’s Sphere 17 were given a comprehensive tour of the ship which included talks on Naval duties, life at sea, navigation and weapon systems, fisheries protection and Naval recruitment opportunities. A key component of the Dublin Angling Initiative is to highlight the importance of fisheries conservation and visits aboard Irish Naval ships are an exciting extension of this subject.

Oisin Cahill, Coordinator of the Dublin Angling Initiative at Inland Fisheries Ireland said: “We are delighted to work with the young people and youth leaders from 1st Meath Adventure Scouts and Sphere 17 Darndale. It is great to see the youth groups engage on the issue of conservation through enjoyable and interesting experiences such as this one.

The Dublin Angling Initiative also introduces youths to the pursuit of angling. Angling is a wide and varied pursuit which can be sedentary or active, practiced socially or in solitude and appeals to a wide range of people of all ages including young people. We hope that by introducing these young people to angling, it might spark their interest and lead to them pursuing it as a hobby. It is vital that we engage communities around the aquatic landscape and encourage interest in important issues such as conservation and the environment.”

Inland Fisheries Ireland’s Dublin Angling Initiative aims to promote, develop and improve angling in the greater Dublin area. During the summer months, young people from national and secondary schools, summer projects and youth services are taken out on fishing courses. To date, thousands of young people have been introduced to sea, coarse and game angling and the initiative has been a catalyst in setting up fishing clubs for many of these young people.

The Dublin Angling Initiative welcomes enquiries from all groups or individuals interested in its programmes and services. For further information, visit www.fisheriesireland.ie or contact Oisin Cahill, Dublin Angling Initiative Co-Coordinator by emailing oisin.cahill@fisheriesireland.ie .

ENDS

Youthgroups enjoy trip on board LE Ciara as part of Dublin Angling Initiative.

For media information:

Órla Sheils
Communications Manager
Inland Fisheries Ireland
Tel: (01) 8842673
Email: orla.sheils@fisheriesireland.ie
Website: www.fisheriesireland.ie

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