Following on from the success that Mayo County Council has had in promoting the county as a walking destination since the appointment of a full time walking officer, a number of councillors are requesting that the council look at a similar appointment to promote fishing in the county on a pilot basis.
At the December meeting of the council, a cross party notice of motion proposed by Fine Gael councillor Cyril Burke and Fianna Fáil councillor Damien Ryan asked that “Mayo County Council look into the creation of a fisheries partnership with Inland Fisheries Ireland with a view to appointing a Fisheries Development Officer on a pilot scheme”.
“The lakes we have such as Lough Conn, Lough Carra, and Lough Mask have huge potential,” said Cllr Burke, who proposed the motion. “If we could develop these lakes as fishing destinations it would be a huge boost for the tourism industry in the county. We have already seen the success of appointing a walking officer in the county and we part fund with the FAI a very successful coaching officer in the county; this could be a big benefit for the county.”
In seconding the motion Cllr Ryan said: “A county like Mayo is not developed like it should be in this area, it would be a big benefit to the county as a whole. I know that there is a recruitment freeze at the moment, but it is something that really should be looked into seriously”.
