Fisheries Awareness Week 2009

The Shannon Regional fisheries Board hosted its annual Fisheries awareness week from Saturday 25th April to Monday 4th May, 2009. The aims of this initiative is intended to increase public awareness of the need to conserve our fisheries resource and to encourage and promote recreational angling. The Board work in partnership with angling clubs and other organisations to promote all types of recreational angling. Through our Annual Conference as part of Fisheries Awareness Week, we disseminate information on current and environmental issues and projects.

Throughout the week 18 fishing events were organised in association with local angling clubs. These were fun competitions where anyone could try their hand at angling. Events included Sea angling, Salmon, Trout, Coarse and Pike fishing at appropriate venues. There were also river cruises, fishy displays and river walks as part of the programme

Through the showers and the sunshine our “Take a friend fishing” events were held throughout the Shannon catchment. The wet weather didn’t deter many youngsters from heading out with their friends/parents/grandparents to catch a memory. Large numbers turned out on the River Suck at Donamon where children caught many species of fish such as bream, roach and perch.  On Lough Ree the local angling club provided boat trips while on Lough Derg a massive 38lb pike was caught at Mountshannon.  For the more advanced anglers there was coaching provided for casting on the banks of the Mulkear river near Bilboa, Co. Limerick. The Schools Art, Poetry and Short Story Competitions were a great hit and attracted a big entry with much excitement. There was prize giving in Crover House Hotel at Lough Sheelin.      

Great credit is due to the angling clubs and experienced fishermen who gave up time over the week to teach children the wonder of catching fish and some even managed to catch their first fish.  Staff from the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board were also on hand to teach some tips on catch and release and on fish biology.  Mr Eamon Cusack, CEO of the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board stated that “ In these difficult times when people are working hard to make ends meet it is heartening to see the community spirit alive and well in local areas.  By getting younger people involved in fishing and learning about our environment in the process, it will mean that the future will be very bright for our fisheries environment.”

We look forward to seeing you all at next year event. The Board wish to thank all who took part and helped in any way over the week.