FISHERIES AWARENESS & EDUCATION WEBSITE
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 campaigns and the education of the young in the region.In
addition the Board recognises the importance of angling as a
recreational activity and actively encourages and promotes the sport.
The ShRFB are pleased to present our dedicated
website of the Boards fisheries awareness and educational initiatives. Over 2009
the Board will run a number of programmes and events under the following
categories.
FISHERIES AWARENESS WEEK 2009
The period from April 26th to May 4th is Fisheries
Awareness Week in the Shannon Catchment. We have organised a series
of events throughout the Catchment to encourage more people to
experience the excitement and the many benefits of recreational
angling and to develop a greater understanding of the fisheries
environment. These events will provide opportunities for young
people and their families to explore the marvellous fisheries
resource to be found throughout the Catchment, along the banks of
the mighty Shannon and its fine tributaries.
SCHOOLS PROJECTS
Close to 100 primary schools were visited by staff of the Shannon Regional
Fisheries Board during the 08/09 school year. The aim of this education
programme is to raise awareness of the work of the fisheries board, the
importance water safety and looking after our environment. Staff gave
presentations lasting over an hour and a half to 5/6th class pupils which
included a collection of live insects and fish from their local river. The
pupils helped staff to determine the water quality using the insect sample. A
major art competition was held recently and all schools were invited to
participate. The
prizes will be announced at Crover House Hotel, Lough Sheelin. Watch this space.
OUTREACH PROGRAMME
The Shannon Regional Fisheries Board is presently involved in outreach
programmes. We aim to explore ways of targeting youth and
delivering programmes on the environment, fisheries awareness, nature and recreational
angling and tuition. Our staff have a wide range of specialist skills which will
help to deliver these programmes and we are working and collaborating with other
agencies in this endeavour. Presently we are involved in Limerick
re-generation at Rossbrien and Ceimer Cen in Limerick and at Newport, Co
Limerick. We
are also involved with Clara Youth and Family Resource Centre.
RECENT NEWS & EVENTS
Despite the rain over the week to date the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board
kicked off its Fisheries Awareness Week on a very positive note. Many “Take a
friend fishing” events are being held throughout the Shannon catchment.
The wet weather didn’t deter many youngsters from heading out with their
friends/parents/grandparents to catch a memory. Large numbers turned out on the
River Suck at Donamon where children caught many species of fish such as bream,
roach and perch. For the more advanced anglers there was coaching provided for
casting on the banks of the Mulkear river near Bilboa, Co. Limerick. We are
keeping our website up to date as these events take place - see each area with
lots of pictures to capture the moments - see each area with
lots of pictures to capture the moments.
