Fisheries & Environmental Awareness & Education Programmes & Projects

The future of Ireland's vital natural resources depends upon an awareness by the public of fisheries environmental and conservation issues. The Board seeks to address this through awareness seminars and campaigns and the education of the young in the region. We liaise with other government agencies, organisations and the public as part of a partnership approach in delivering our programmes In addition the Board recognises the importance and value of angling as a recreational activity and actively encourages and promotes the sport.

The Board organise and run angling tuition workshops from time to time covering topics and activities such as rod handling skills, fly tying, environmental field studies including classroom talks and presentations. A main feature of the year is Fisheries Awareness Week. This is a celebration designed to increase public awareness of the excitement of recreational fishing and conservation of our fisheries resource. The Shannon Regional Fisheries Board and its partners invites people of all age groups in the Shannon Catchment to share time with family and friends on the Catchment's streams, rivers, lakes and sea coast during the week. Fisheries and angling are part of our heritage and our culture which we should value, treasure and experience. Upcoming programmes will be posted in this section from time to time.

During Fisheries Awareness week 2005 we captured many moments. See our specially featured FISHERIES AWARENESS WEEK PHOTO GALLERY Many people were involved in organising and running the events. There was a significant voluntary contribution which we are very grateful and wish to thank all concerned publicly. Also a number of prizes were sponsored and we thank all those who supported us by giving prizes. This was the first time an event of this scale was run by the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board and no doubt it is a learning curve for us all.

FISHERIES AWARENESS DAY AT PARTEEN HATCHERY

Thirty local children and their teacher Ciara Russell from 3^rd class at Patrickswell NS Limerick took part in a Fisheries Awareness Day at the ESB salmon hatchery in Parteen on the 15^th February 2005. The day began with Lorraine O' Donnell and Breda Costello talking to the children about salmon and their lifecycle and the reasons why fish are declining and why hatcheries need to exist.

One of the highlights of the day for the children was when they were allowed to hold some smolts. The smolts which had their adipose fin clipped and coded wire tag inserted would be due to be returned to the river in late March of this year.

For the first time, children saw zebra mussels.

THE RIVER SHANNON WATERS - WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE FUTURE - SEMINAR SEPTEMBER 23, 2004

The crucial need to protect and restore Ireland’s rivers and lakes from the ravages caused by a booming economy were underlined at a highly successful seminar organised by the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board in Limerick on September 23. The seminar, “The River Shannon Waters – Working together for the Future”, brought together a panel of top level speakers from at home and abroad to discuss actions that need to be taken to ensure good quality waterways and water animal, fish and plant life.

The event attracted an attendance of over one hundred people from all over the country who are making their own input into protecting and improving ......

THE HIND RIVER PROJECT - THE RE-BIRTH OF A RIVER

The River Hind, a small yet rich limestone river flows through the town of Roscommon and incorporates over 5 kms of a wild brown trout fishery before it reaches Lough Ree. However over the years conflict between humans and the environment has had an impact on the river and its ecosystem. Constant pollution over a number of years destroyed juvenile stocks, decreasing adult numbers, and angling. Following major drainage in1980’s smaller schemes were continued yearly removing valuable spawning gravel, food and shelter, which resulted in permanent damage and loss of the fisheries habitat in large sections of the River. With this angling and a general interest in the River declined, the river was neglected, becoming choked with weeds in summer and rendering it useless for angling and other amenities.

As part of the project the public were invited to walk along the length of the river and observe the enhancement works that were carried out and read posters on how and why this .....

YOUTH ANGLING & ENVIRONMENTAL WORKSHOP IN BIRR SEPTEMBER 2002

The Shannon Regional Fisheries Board in association with the Little Brosna and Camcor Angling Club Birr hosted a Fisheries Awareness & Environmental Workshop over the weekend of Saturday and Sunday September 28^th & 29^th 2002

The workshop through its fisheries and environmental awareness theme served to highlight the importance of us all playing our joint and independent roles in protecting and enhancing our natural fisheries environment for the present and future generations to enjoy. This workshop combined angling tuition and fly tying with an environmental field trip which looked at stream life on the Camcor River in Birr, Co Offaly. This was followed by an angling competition to introduce the youngsters to fishing and develop their skills.

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