Galway angling clubs and fishery owners can apply for funding to support fishing conservation projects.
The 2022 Habitats and Conservation scheme, run by Inland Fisheries Ireland, has €1 million in funding available for conservation projects. Priority will be given to projects that focus on habitat rehabilitation and conservation, such as improving water quality, rehabilitating damaged habitats, and helping fish overcome physical barriers, like impassable weirs.
Since 2016, more than €5 million in grants have been awarded to 250 projects throughout Ireland under funds administered by Inland Fisheries Ireland - the State agency responsible for the protection and conservation of freshwater fish and habitats.
The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, is encouraging eligible groups and stakeholders in Galway to apply.
“The Habitats and Conservation Scheme is a great example of how we can encourage and support the stewardship role of managing our natural resources across the country. This important environmental scheme supports angling clubs, fishery owners, and stakeholders – in helping them to improve damaged habitats, water quality and fish passage.
“The works and studies supported by the scheme in the future will also result in wider benefits for the environment. As the funding call is now open, I would encourage any eligible group or stakeholder in Galway to contact Inland Fisheries Ireland and express their interest in applying for this grant before the deadline.”
In 2021 a total of €785,604 in funding was approved for 18 projects, based in Galway, Donegal, Cork, Kilkenny, Laois, Limerick, Mayo, Roscommon, Wexford, Westmeath and Wicklow.
Suzanne Campion, head of business development at Inland Fisheries Ireland, says protecting and conserving fish species, like Atlantic salmon and sea trout, is critical to the overall health of the country’s eco-system.
“Damaged riverine habitats can lead to poorer water quality, climate change can lead to rising water temperatures and invasive species can mean even more threats to biodiversity. These are having a damaging impact on our rivers and lakes and on all species that depend on them for survival. Under the Habitats and Conservation Scheme, made possible through fishing licence income, groups in Galway can now apply for grants to fund projects and measures that benefit the conservation of freshwater fish and habitats.”
An information guide is available to download from www.fisheriesireland.ie/services/funding
