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Press Release 22nd December 2005
Irish Specimen Fish Committee Celebrate 50 Years with Launch of Special Edition 2005 Annual Report
The Irish Specimen Fish Committee (ISFC), an independent voluntary body representative of angling interests in Ireland, launched its 2005 annual report today (22nd December 2005). The report marks an important milestone for the ISFC as it celebrates its 50th Anniversary. The principle function of the ISFC is to verify, record and publicise the capture of large (i.e. specimen) fish caught on rod and line by anglers in Ireland, both in freshwater and marine waters. The Committee comprises of experts from the Central Fisheries Board, Failte Ireland, the Loughs Agency, the Marine Institute as well as experienced angling representatives.
Every year since 1955, the ISFC has compiled a report on the previous year’s notable catches and new records. This started life as a plain document of tables and figures, and the original 1955 report has been included in the 2005 report to allow for comparison of past trends and to demonstrate how the report has grown into the exciting and visually striking publication which many anglers eagerly await every January.
The 2005 specimen season has seen an increase in the number of claims ratified compared to last year with a total of 568. This is the highest number of claims ratified since 1985 and this is partly due to the enormous numbers of specimen Coalfish recorded this year. These ratified claims include two new Irish records, pike (lake) and stone basse. The new Irish record Lake Pike weighed in at 42 lbs 12 ozs and was taken by Larry Kelly, Athboy, Co. Meath on the White Lake in September. The new Irish record Stone Basse weighed in at 11.72 lbs for UK angler, Tony Rainer from Berkshire on the 14th July fishing out of Baltimore. Another highlight of this year’s report is a new award for 20 different species of specimen fish. Two anglers, Terry Jackson, Kircubbin, Co. Down and Noel Lane, Mayfield, Cork won the ‘20 Species Award’ which is a fantastic achievement and a new goal for anglers to strive for.
Overall, 2005 was a good year for specimen fishing in Ireland; this is apparent from the records detailed in the report. Monthly reports from Met Eireann show a continuing upward trend in coastal water temperatures resulting in the prospect of further new species around our coast. The Gilthead Bream (Sparus aurata L.) is an example and this species has been added to the specimen list for 2006 with a specimen weight set at 1.4kg.
The Annual Presentation of Awards to anglers whose claims were accepted during 2005 will be held in the Doyle Burlington Hotel, Sussex Road, Dublin at 2.30pm sharp on Saturday, 25th February, 2006.
For further information on the ISFC, please visit our website: www.irish-trophy-fish.com
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Notes to Editor:
Important Points Regarding Claims:
Photographic evidence for new records: except in cases where a body or presentation of the fish is required for species identification, a clear photograph must accompany all record fish claims.
Place of capture: all claims must include the name of the water in which the fish was caught (e.g. Monalty Lake) and in the case of the larger systems, the area (e.g. River Shannon – Roosky).
Closed Seasons: Closed seasons apply to several species (e.g. bass, brown trout, salmon etc.) Any fish taken in the closed season for that species will not be ratified.
Maximum number of claims per species: A maximum of three (3) awards will be made to any particular claimant for a single species in any one year. However, provision will be made that when the angler achieves this target and subsequently captures larger fish, these will be taken into account but the final number of awards for any species in a single year will not be more than three awards. By including this latter provision, it will ensure the angler’s competitive spirit is kept up and higher achievements could still be sought.
Exclusion from specimen status (stocked fish): Where species of fish are introduced to a fishery at or above existing specimen weights, those species from that particular fishery shall not be considered for specimen or record status. Escapees from fish farms either freshwater or marine are also excluded.
If you require further information or if you would like a free copy of the 2005 Annual Report, please do not hesitate to contact Hazel Dobbyn, PR Officer, Central Fisheries Board, 01-8842656 / 087 9918608 or Bridie Fleming, ISFC, 01-8842675.
