Primary school students are being asked to design a poster that encourages greater conservation of Ireland’s native fish. The competition is part of the ‘Something Fishy’ educational programme which gets underway this month.
Open to fifth and sixth class pupils, the winning posters will be used as part of an awareness campaign to promote the ‘catch, photo and release’ method of angling. Under this approach, a fish caught is quickly photographed and returned safely back into the water.
As a result, greater numbers of fish can be conserved in rivers, lakes and around coastlines, putting less pressure on fish populations and boosting biodiversity.
Students are being asked to create a poster with the ‘catch, photo and release’ message, take a photograph of the fish and submit by email before the closing date of Friday, April 15th 2022.
The winning students in the two class categories will receive a tablet worth €500 and have their work featured in an awareness campaign.
In 2021, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) and Blackrock Education Centre ran a national poetry competition, with two young poets from Tipperary and Carlow scooping the top prizes.
Launching the competition, Suzanne Campion, IFI’s Head of Business Development, said: “We’re very fortunate to have lots of active angling clubs, associations and federations all over this country. We will be working closely with them to help get the ‘catch, photo, release’ message out there as widely as possible.”
The ‘Something Fishy’ competition has been designed to fit in with the primary school curriculum, according to Niamh Murray of the Blackrock Education Centre.
“Our children are the future and promoting the simple act of releasing fish that you catch, shows the power of an individual in conserving our environment,” she said.
Parents, guardians or teachers are asked to email original entries to outreach@fisheriesireland.ie before Friday, April 15th. Only one entry is allowed per student and winners will be announced in early June. Further details are available from www.somethingfishy.ie.
Seashore training courses in Co Louth
An appreciation of our estuaries and seashore training course with Ken Whelan and Padraic Creedon, in conjunction with Leave No Trace-Ireland, Cushla Dromgool-Regan - Camden Education Trust, will be held in Co Louth during April, 2022.
This is an introductory course for adults and community groups that wish to learn about the range of marine animals, plants, seaweeds and birdlife found at local estuaries and seashores in the county.
Two separate courses are provided, one in Carlingford and the other in Clogherhead. North Louth (Carlingford) – Classroom: Sun April 3rd 9.30am– 3.30pm (Blackrock Community Centre, Dundalk). Seashore fieldtrip: Sat 9th April 9th 10am–2pm. Estuary fieldtrip: Sun April 10th 11am–3pm.
South Louth (Clogherhead) – Classroom: Sat April 2nd 9.30am–3.30pm (Drumshallon Forge Heritage Centre, Drogheda). Seashore fieldtrip: Sat April 23rd 10.30am – 2.30pm. Estuary fieldtrip: Sun April 24th 12pm–4pm.
Booking forms are available at saltwaterdetective@gmail.com. As places are limited booking must be confirmed prior to the course start date. Bookings close: March 30th
This project is funded by the EU through the Leader Partnership and Development of Rural & Community Development.
O'Reilly and Healy claim Scierra Pairs on Knockaderry Lake
The Scierra Pairs competition on Knockaderry Lake in Kilmeaden, Co Waterford last weekend was a great success, according to organiser, Michael Sheehan. While conditions were, at times, very harsh with a hard northerly wind, nevertheless, some big fish were caught.
Stephen O’Reilly and Barry Healy won the day with four fish ashore in 1hr 40mins along with time bonuses. Second place went to Keith Moore and John Mealy. Spare a thought for local angler Keith who caught three excellent trout weighing 6lb 9oz, 5lb 12oz and 3lb, but couldn’t get the four-fish bag limit.
As the Scierra competition was part of a wider gathering, the winning duo stood to attend the overall final in Wales. However, as the pair were unable to take up the offer, next in line, Basil Shields and Robbie Crichton, also with three fish, opted to travel for the final in August.
Century celebrations for popular Burke's of Clonbur
Congrats to the Burke family of Clonbur, Co Galway who celebrate their 100th anniversary this week of their Bar & Restaurant premises in this beautiful Gaeltacht village. The premises were purchased by J.J. Burke in 1922, along with some land, for £1,600.
To celebrate the occasion, proprietor Tómas Burke has invited all known employees from down through the years, including a 96-year-old lady, to a celebratory dinner.
Burke’s is the pivotal rendezvous for a vast number of anglers who fish both Lough Corrib and Lough Mask.
*If you have an angling story to share, please send to me at angling@irishtimes.com.Note: Angling Notes can be viewed each Monday online at irish times latest news.com and irish times other sports.com.
