Minister of State for Rural Affairs and Natural Resources Sean Kyne has announced €2 million in funding available for angling projects and conservation initiatives.
Donegal TD Joe McHugh is encouraging local angling organisations to apply for the funding.
An information evening will be hosted at Harvey’s Point Hotel on Tuesday, September 12th at 7pm, and all interested organisations should send a representative.
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 from Sligo and nationwide 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 in Sligo and 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.”
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.
