THE recent 32nd Rosslare Small Boats Festival attracted more than 120 anglers from Wales, Scotland, Isle of Wight, Ireland and many parts of England.
Sponsored by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), Garmin, Daiwa and Sea Angler magazine, the prestigious competition generated in the region of €300,000 for the local economy in Wexford.
For the first time in eight years, the festival produced a new winner with the boat Even Less from Gosport Angling club in Portsmouth winning for the first time. The crew of Wesley Lewis, Steve Mills and Steve Arnold outclassed 40 boats catching 22 species for 13.79 kilos.
Throughout the week, weather conditions were very challenging with strong south westerlies delaying the start of the competition. The festival committee, in tandem with the harbour master’s office, worked tirelessly to enable boats to be launched during short windows of weather.
Fisheries staff were in attendance with a marine tank for displaying species caught during the competition and identifying them for the public. The educational benefits of the tank were hugely beneficial in terms of conservation and creating public awareness of Ireland’s marine resource.
Indeed, a new conservation initiative to encourage anglers to catch, photograph and release smoothounds and spurdogs has proven to be very successful.
This year, 10 new boats joined the competition and two specimens were caught, the largest of which was a ballan wrasse of 2.3 kilos, caught by Bill Walker on board the boat Outcast.
The Rosslare Harbour Hotel was the venue for the concluding dinner and prizegiving with prizes worth almost €30,000 which included fishing equipment, cash prizes and engraved trophies.
Special guest, The Mayor of Wexford, Cllr Jim Moore, said: "I would like to congratulate all competitors on their success at the Rosslare festival and we are delighted that you come to Wexford to fish. I would like to thank the sponsors – IFI, Garmin, Daiwa and Sea Angler and I look forward to seeing you return next year."
Next year’s festival is set for the September 8th-15t. Visit: www.rosslaresmallboatsfestival.com for further information.
Emyvale claims new Tidy Towns Waters award
As co-sponsors of the new Waters and Communities Category in the Tidy Towns 2017 Awards, Inland Fisheries Ireland sends its congratulations to Emyvale Tidy Towns, Co Monaghan on winning this new category. Emyvale won the overall prize for their project, led by Enda Fields, on Emy Lough.
The award aims to recognise communities who are taking positive steps towards raising awareness and appreciation of their local streams, rivers, lakes, canals, wells and coast.
In addition to the overall winner, congratulations are extended to the additional regional winners, who each win €1,000: Dodder Action Group; The Friends of St John’s River and Glounthaune Tidy Towns.
The four regional runner-up winners (who win €500 each) were: Baltrasna Boreen Biodiversity Group; Culdaff River Community Angling Club; Cheekpoint & Faithlegg Development Group and Castletownroche Tidy Towns.
Emyvale won an additional €1,000 as overall winner of the four regions.
Ireland win bronze medal at Lake Menteith
Ireland took bronze position at the autumn match under the auspices of the International Fly-Fishing Association on Lake Menteith in Scotland. There really was only one winner with England almost doubling the score of their nearest rivals.
England’s captain Iain Barr was outstanding bringing his team home with 101 fish for 4,214.2 points against second-placed Wales with 65 fish for 2,757.3 points. Barr also brought in the best basket of 17 fish and largest fish of 64cm.
Eoin Dunne was the best of the Irish team with a reputable eight fish. Results: 1, England, 101 fish, 4,214.2pts; 2, Wales, 65f, 2,757.3pts; 3, Ireland, 64f, 2,730.8pts; 4, Scotland, 63f, 2,711.0pts.
Minister defends albacore tuna catches in Spain
Minister for the Marine, Michael Creed TD, has confirmed with the Spanish authorities that no restrictions will be applied to Irish vessels landing albacore tuna into Spanish ports.
The minister said he became aware recently of reports of Irish vessels being prohibited from landing their tuna catch into some Spanish ports. Such action is unacceptable, he said, and was contrary to the Common Fisheries Policy and EU law.
“I contacted the Spanish authorities and was pleased to receive their prompt assurances that no such restrictions will be applicable to Irish fishing vessels,” he said.
angling@irishtimes.com
