Inland Fisheries Ireland new €2 million funding call for angling projects and conservation initiatives

Inland Fisheries Ireland announces new fund open to communities nationwide

– Inland Fisheries Ireland Press Release –

– Wednesday, 9th August 2017 –

Sean Kyne TD, Minister with responsibility for Inland Fisheries, has today welcomed a new €2 million funding call from Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) for angling projects and conservation initiatives.  The funding call, which consists of three separate funding streams, will help ensure that Ireland’s fish stocks and angling infrastructure are protected and enhanced into the future.

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.

IFI Funding Call 2017

The Inland Fisheries Ireland Funding Call 2017 is made up of the following funds:

• Salmon Conservation Fund to a maximum of €500,000
• Midland Fisheries Fund of €50,000
• National Strategy for Angling Development Fund (NSAD) €1,500,000

Minister Kyne, said: “As Minister with responsibility for Inland Fisheries, I have ensured that significant funding under the National Strategy for Angling Development was available from my Department in 2017 to help Inland Fisheries Ireland develop a wide ranging investment initiative. I welcome the fact that the funding programme is rooted in Community led actions and I support Inland Fisheries Ireland in its enhancement plans.  I also want to encourage Angling Bodies, Community Groups and local authorities to take up the funding opportunity and meet the development challenge at local, regional and National level”.

Inland Fisheries Ireland is inviting applications for funding for projects across a number of areas from fisheries habitat enhancement and sustainable development works to marketing and promotional projects for angling. Applications are invited from groups, associations, clubs, local authorities or other appropriate bodies looking to improve Ireland’s fisheries resource.

Dr Ciaran Byrne, CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland said: “Today’s announcement sees Inland Fisheries Ireland make over €2 million available to communities nationwide, for projects which will help contribute to an accessible and sustainable world class inland fisheries and sea angling resource for all. We want to ensure that we continue to invest in conservation, while also developing our angling offering in Ireland.

While the National Strategy for Angling Development funding stream focuses on improving angling access with a view to attracting more domestic and overseas anglers to the pursuit, the Salmon Conservation Fund and Midland Fisheries Fund re-invest the contributions of anglers into valuable initiatives which a view to promoting the recovery of salmon stocks and habitats and supporting sustainable development works in the Midlands respectively.”

Projects eligible for funding under IFI’s Funding Call 2017:

• Inland Fisheries Ireland is now inviting applications for funding across the following areas:
• Fisheries habitat enhancement
• Bank side / shoreline access projects
• Angling equipment
• Marketing and promotional projects for angling
• Funding for undertaking feasibility studies / environmental reports / fisheries development plans
• Match funding for larger projects to be funded from other sources that contribute to achieving the objectives of the National Strategy for Angling Development.

Regional information workshops:

Inland Fisheries Ireland will hold regional information workshops for those interested in applying for funding with a view to giving participants a better understanding of the various funding streams and how they can apply via an online system. The workshops will take place in:

Members of the public who will be attending the workshops are asked to RSVP to funding@fisheriesireland.ie, indicating which workshop they will be going to along with their name and contact details.

The closing date for applications to Inland Fisheries Ireland’s 2017 Funding Call is Friday, 13th of October 2017.

For more information and to apply, visit www.fisheriesireland.ie/funding