“Very clear vote of confidence by the Government in the sector”
· Angling clubs encouraged to participate in river enhancement projects
· Minister confirms plans to relocate State Agency to Carrick-on- Shannon
· Major initiative to be undertaken for Upper Shannon Region
Carrick-on-Shannon, 16 April 2002
“Today is an important milestone for the angling sector and the Shannon Region, representing a very clear vote of confidence by the Government in the sector and its potential to contribute in a meaningful way to rural economic development over the period to 2006.” This is according to Marine & Natural Resources Minister, Frank Fahey TD, who was speaking this afternoon at the launch of the Tourism and Recreational Angling Measure of the NDP, at the Landmark Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim
Various reports have highlighted the unique features of Ireland as an angling destination including the natural and unpolluted environment and the range and availability of wild fish stocks. Minister Fahey said, “we have a unique natural environment that is there to be enjoyed by all with an excellent and high quality range of facilities and services and we must ensure that this is protected and promoted”.
“We must address the perceived lack of awareness of specific angling locations and increase efforts to best utilise the fisheries resource” he Minister warned, stressing that, “we must capitalise on those strengths which give Ireland the edge on its international competitors when it comes to competing for angling tourists".
Angling is uniquely placed to help us deliver the benefits across the lesser-developed areas of the country because of its excellent geographic and seasonal spread. There are areas of the country where the local economy currently derives huge benefits from angling. “I am anxious to see these benefits spread to areas where there is potential for further development. I am thinking in particular of the largely untapped resource that is coarse fishing”.
While the previous investment programme was confined to the development of the tourism angling product, this new measure extends eligibility to recreational angling, training, promotion and marketing. “Extending the areas of eligibility will further strengthen the foundations for the sustainable development of the tourism and recreational angling resource” Fahey explained.
“I see a major role for angling clubs in delivering on minor enhancement projects and I would encourage clubs to submit well thought out proposals for funding to allow them to do this important work themselves” the Minister said. In-stream rehabilitation works, improved access to fisheries, the provision of information and promotional material all offer opportunities under the scheme to maximise the potential of the tourism angling product.
The grant scheme offers a broad framework within which public, private and voluntary interests can take on the challenges of building on existing levels of development. “Since becoming Minister,” he said, “I have consistently emphasised the critical importance of the partnership approach to ensure that fisheries resources and habitats are protected, conserved and developed on a sustainable basis”.
The Minister also announced the Government’s firm intention to establish the Central Fisheries Board in Carrick-on-Shannon as soon as practically possible. “I have asked Management and Staff and Unions at the CFB to enter discussions on this and I have given a commitment that these discussions will be advanced on a Partnership basis and on the understanding that re-location to Carrick-on-Shannon will be on a voluntary basis”. “I accept that it may be necessary to maintain some presence in Dublin, particularly where we want to avoid losing specialist expertise,” he added.
The move to Carrick-on-Shannon will provide the Board with modern, comfortable and well-equipped accommodation. However, given that establishment in Carrick-on-Shannon will not be for at least 2 years, the Minister announced that the Unit, which will manage and administer the TRAM scheme, will be based in Carrick-on-Shannon. “The choice of Carrick-on-Shannon is a good one” according to the Minister, “as it is one of the main angling centres in the country, its excellent waters attract anglers from all over Europe”.
The Upper Shannon has the potential for significant development across the whole range of angling activities. Indeed, the angling and community groups of the Upper Shannon, with the help of the Fisheries Board, Bord Failte and Leitrim County Council have established a thriving tourism coarse angling sector. The Minister noted however, “It is my firm belief that we can do more to bring out the real potential for increased tourism and recreational angling in the region”.
“I have asked the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board to draw up for urgent launch by me, a new initiative which will target a number of key areas:
· Reduction in water pollution;
· Maintenance of present angling structures;
· Working with, and facilitating angling clubs and local community groups to develop new projects to be funded under the Tourism and Recreational Angling Measure;
· Protection of the fish resource;
· Assessment of current fish stock levels; and,
· Promotion and development of local and tourism angling.
I am confident that this initiative will help revitalise the whole tourism effort in the Upper Shannon,” the Minister said.
The Minister concluded by commending the efforts by all involved in developing the scheme, particularly the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards and Bord Failte. He said, “we all share the same objective and we must all participate and co-operate in the challenge of delivering on that goal”.
ENDS.
Information Note:
The new scheme builds on investment to date and has the objective of ensuring that our coarse, game and sea angling facilities are upgraded to the best international standards.
It continues on from the Tourism Angling Measure (TAM) of the Operational Programme for Tourism 1994 - 1999 which led to considerable investment in tourism angling since 1996. Some 190 projects were approved under that scheme involving over £18 million (€22.8million) in EU and Exchequer funding. The TAM was a first step in sustained investment for the angling sector.
The Tourism and Recreational Angling sub-Measure (TRAM) is one of five measures under the Tourism Measure of the NDP Regional Operational Programmes. The angling scheme, like the other sub-Measures will run up to 2006. Over €30.4 million is provided in the National Development Plan for inland fisheries development. €21.47m will be invested in the Border, Midlands & West Region with €9.006m being invested in the South & East Region. The Government will provide €27.9m of this investment, €2m will come from private sources and €0.5m from other public bodies.
Advertisements seeking proposals will be placed in the press over the coming days. As part of the assessment process a high-level assessment committee - Tourism Product Selection Boards - will be established to assess and evaluate applications within each Region. Fisheries Boards, Local Authorities, Private Fishery Owners, Angling Clubs and Community Groups may apply and the scheme is administered by the Central Fisheries Board and managed by the relevant Regional Assemblies.
For further information, please contact:
Tony Bass
Media & Communications Manager
Department of the Marine and Natural Resources
Leeson Lane
Dublin 2
Tel: +353-(0)1-619-9471
Fax: +353-(0)1-676-6161
Or
Tom Mc Loughlin
Press Officer
Department of the Marine and Natural Resources
Leeson Lane
Dublin 2
Tel: +353-(0)1-619-9662
Fax: +353-(0)1-676-6161