Anglers who fish the Corrib or the river Clare, enjoy the benefit of development work which is undertaken by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). The agency work in collaboration with Cairde an Chláir, a catchment organisation representing angling clubs, stakeholders with fishing interests in the Clare river who share a commitment to improving wild fish stocks of the Corrib system.
Member angling clubs support and make a financial contribution to Cairde an Chláir, this is then used as a development contribution in the form of a materials support budget, a budget which IFI can then draw down when the enhancement work is in operation. Cairde an Chláir also suggest projects which have been identified with potential for improving recruitment of wild fish. This exchange of information and financial support has been welcomed by IFI, and the results achieved over the last five years are a positive response to stakeholder involvement.
Gravel introduced above and within a constriction point will be subjected too, sorted and scoured by increased water energy, creating ideal conditions for spawning wild brown trout and salmon.
Enhancement work on headwater streams which have been damaged by arterial drainage schemes, is so important when it comes to restoring the necessary habitat conditions for the recruitment of wild fish. Habitat which has been damaged and is unsuitable for wild fish to use for spawning and breed, is rectified and revitalised to provide ideal spawning conditions for wild trout and salmon to utilise and a pool riffle regime is created to support immature fish.
The Mahanagh, a 600 metre enhancement is the latest development within the Clare river catchment. This development was completed by the IFI team, all instream materials were introduced by a team of agency staff dedicated to nursery stream project work as part of their annual workload. IFI also commit staff to draw up plans and to deal with all the governance involved.
Ten years ago this commitment to environmental enhancement development was unheard of within IFI, now if stakeholders make a contribution or request for project work within their catchment, the agency responds with a positive action.
This strategy to improve wild fish stocks in Ireland, is one which all anglers should acknowledge as a positive step toward increasing wild brown trout and salmon stocks. It is policy with a proven track record and if given time with supporting conservation measures for mature fish, our stocks of wild fish will improve.
As with all the developments on the headwater streams, the emphasis is on improving habitat for recruitment of wild trout and salmon. To date over 20,000 square metres of headwater streams have been developed. These enhancements, increase the potential recruitment success for wild fish and for every square metre which is enhanced, it effectively creates the potential to add an extra wild brown trout or salmon to the system. The Clare river will benefit from these enhancements, and as 28% of adult brown trout caught in the Corrib are produced in the Clare river catchment, so will Lough Corrib benefit too.
Rock introduced into pools help to create flow diversity and a place for young fish to hide or take shelter. They also provide shelter and habitat for invertebrates, which are in turn food for young fish.
These developments will continue to be productive for many years into the future. They will over time require revisiting and possibly new gravel introduced, but they will function and provide a sustainable natural process for producing wild fish at a low cost. The recovery of the wild population of brown trout will take time but this is a proven process which will keep on adding to the population year after year. If we multiply our current 20,000 square metres of enhanced developments (one square metre = one extra fish) over a ten year period, this will provide a meaningful figure as a measurement for the potential success. Over ten years this could add up to a possible 200,000 extra fish added to the Corrib system. These are wild fish produced by a natural process and it is sustainable.
Cairde an Chláir are thankful to all our supporters who support this positive work to create more fish for the Corrib system.
- Our members who support us and also make a financial contribution
- IFI for their unwavering commitment to this policy of improving nursery habitat for wild brown trout and salmon, and for supporting conservation measures for mature fish
- Our funders the Clydagh Foundation and the Local Authorities Water Programme for their valuable support
- Office of Public Works for their commitment to providing expensive machinery and staff support for stream developments
- Farmers for access and allowing the enhancements to take place on their property.
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