Working in collaboration with Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), Cairde an Chláir welcomed representatives from organisations involved in the group success of attaining a landmark achievement year, to a photo opportunity to celebrate the completion of 3000 metres of nursery stream habitat enhanced for the recruitment of wild brown trout and salmon in the Clare river catchment.
The completion of this landmark achievement, the greatest tranche of development work undertaken in the west of Ireland since the TAM work of the late 1980’s early 1990’s, is the result of a unified commitment by all the groups present and it is a positive example of what can be achieved when local stakeholders become involved with government agencies and funding groups.
As the main protagonist for this achievement, IFI should be commended for their dedicated and professional input into what has been a hugely successful outcome. Cairde an Chláir, working in collaboration with the state agency for the Protection and Conservation of fish in Ireland, are very grateful for the highly valued input from IFI in making this landmark moment happen. A result which clearly demonstrates the state agency’s commitment to a strategy to improve the recruitment of wild brown trout and salmon in the Clare river system, a system that not only produces wild fish for the Clare River but also produces 28% of the adult wild brown trout caught in Lough Corrib.
Enhancing damaged nursery stream habitat to improve the recruitment of wild brown trout and salmon, is the most sustainable and cost effective means of producing these highly valued fish. The capital required to complete these enhancement works, is an investment for a long term gain and once the physical work has been completed, the natural reproductive process of nature will do rest year after year.
To give an appraisal of the value of this important work, 3000 metres of headwater streams with an average channel width of 2.5 metres in the Clare river catchment have been enhanced. Wild juvenile brown trout require approximately 1m² of good habitat to survive, therefore, at 3000 metres in length with a channel width of 2.5 metres, the current tranche of work will produce around a potential 7,500 extra wild fish annually and because this natural reproductive recruitment process will be repeated year after year, the accrued total will increase. After 10 years this will accrue to a potential 75,000 wild fish. The positive return of this work is obvious and IFI are now committed to continuing with this commendable strategy, a strategy which should be welcomed by all anglers with a local interest.
These developments do not only benefit the recruitment of wild fish, there are added benefits to the instream enhancement work which has been undertaken. To protect the enhancements from farm stock damage or encroachment, all the sites have been screened with protective fencing, most of which was double bank. In all 4700 metres of stock fencing has been erected and 6 solar powered drinking units have been installed. This serves a double purpose, it protects the enhanced site but it also protects the inzone marginal area between fencing and stream edge, a zone which when planted with native sapling trees will serve as a buffer zone. This will help to maintain or improve water quality and improve the biodiversity of the riverine corridor. Objectives which are fund supported by LAWPRO the Local Authority Waters Programme, a government organisation that is becoming an increasingly important funding contributor to our group project work.
The template for what has been achieved locally, is one which IFI have now adopted for working in other catchments and it is one which is gathering momentum. Lough Sheelin Trout Preservation Association employ a similar strategy, as do the Boynes Anglers and another group local to our area which has recently been formed, the East Corrib Alliance are working to a template similar to the one adopted by Cairde an Chláir. Local stakeholders working together with state agencies, government funding resources and other funding groups to achieve a common goal, to improve or maintain water quality, create a better environment and improve the performance of Ireland’s renowned wild fisheries.
Over the last four years working in collaboration with IFI, Cairde an Chláir has supported 7000 metres of nursery stream enhancements of which 3000 metres has been completed in 2024. We are indebted to IFI for their commitment toward this positive strategy which is now in the ascendancy, and the government agency for the protection and conservation of fish in Ireland is not going to rest on its laurels with what has been a landmark achievement year.
Plans for 2025 announcement
Plans are already on the table for 2025 for another 3000 metres of nursery stream development for the forthcoming year, a tranche of work valued at approximately €200,000. Cairde an Chláir will do all within their means to support IFI with this highly commendable strategy and we hope that the collective groups will also continue to support an initiative which will benefit anglers, the local community, water quality, farmers and the environment. This is a strategy which is a win, win for all involved.
Acknowledgements
This landmark achievement is the result of a unified effort and it could not have taken place or reach the elevated levels which have been attained, without the funding support from organisations such as LAWPRO – Local Authority Waters Programme and the Clydagh Foundation. In addition the contractual input from another government agency, the Office of Public Works is very much appreciated and highly valued. As is the permissions granted by local farmers, such as Martin Nicholson, without whose kindness and understanding the enhancements could not take place. Cairde an Chláir are extremely grateful for the support of all the groups involved which are vital for the completion of these invaluable development works.
We are also appreciative to Sean Canney TD / Galway East who has been very supportive toward this work, especially when he was Minister for Community Development and Natural Resources.
Members of Cairde an Chláir also acknowledge the significant investment made by IFI toward achieving what has been a momentous year for our group. Without the dedicated and professional input from the IFI team here in the west of Ireland, this achievement could never happened. To the Western River Basin District Galway team, the executive and board of directors of IFI, we offer our sincere thanks and acknowledge the forward thinking and new strategy approach to improving Ireland’s world class fisheries.
Statements
Sean Canney TD / Galway East
We are here today with farmers, Inland Fisheries Ireland, the Office of Public Works, Local Authority Waters Programme and local anglers and the most important thing is that this is all about cooperation to achieve a common goal by working together. Public money can be provided by different sources and funding groups to ensure that these enhancements take place for the benefit of everyone but it needs a group such as Cairde an Chláir to bring this together. As a former minister for Natural Resources, I’m delighted to witness the results of this coordinated arrangement and the value for money that it can provide.
David Rafter – Local Waters Authority Programme
Today marks a justified celebration of the collaborative work in safeguarding the health of the Clare river and the communities which rely on it. LAWPRO is proud to stand alongside Chairde an Chláir, its member angling groups as well as Inland Fisheries Ireland and other public bodies in supporting efforts to improve water quality, river habitats and enhance the natural environment here in north-east Galway, and indeed nationally. All the stakeholders have made strides towards creating a cleaner, healthier river ecosystem that benefits not only our aquatic life but also the biodiversity, and the people who live, work, and enjoy leisure activities around it. The work done here demonstrates the power of local partnerships, in achieving sustainable, long-term environmental goals.
LAWPRO remains committed to working closely with all stakeholders and providing support through funding streams such as our Community Water Development Fund and our Catchment Support Fund, to ensure that these freshwater bodies are protected and enjoyed for many decades to come.
Photo
Left to Right
- Brendan Lally, Cairde an Chláir Media Officer
- Keegan Mc Hugh, OPW
- Michael Harte, Cairde an Chláir Treasurer
- Pat Collins, OPW
- Martin Nicholson, Farmer
- Sean Canney TD / Galway East
- Richard Jordan, Cairde an Chláir Chairman
- David Rafter, LAWPRO
- Bernard Conroy, Milltown
- John Gavin, Milltown
- Rachel Cooper, IFI Galway area Director
- Philip Donoghue, Cregmore / Athenry
- Michael Shaunhnessy, Tuam
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