ANGLING NOTES:THE ANGLING Council of Ireland (ACI) held an eventful day recently at the Sport HQ in Park West, Dublin. Now in its ninth year, the council is the governing body for five branches of the sport including sea, coarse, pike, trout, salmon and sea trout angling. Today, the council serves over 30,000 members.
The day got under way with an egm to ratify the ACI constitution, followed by a constructive annual general meeting. In his chairman’s address, Eamonn Moore said last year was like a curate’s egg, good in parts. Among the good bits were the great efforts of ACI members in the development of the organisation.
On the downside, failure to gain a position on the Inland Fisheries Ireland board was a disappointment. “We do not accept that a national fisheries board should not include an angling member,” he said. However, a yet-to-be-announced Inland Fisheries Ireland Forum will have five angling members.
Much discussion took place on the €2 levy imposed on members. Irish Sports Council (ISC) director, Ray Treacy, has made it clear that grant funding by ISC is solely for the administration of ACI. The capitation fee relates to the day-to-day running of the organisation.
The meeting was unanimous in electing Hugh O’Rorke as its first president. Having served as ACI secretary since its inception in 2002, it was befitting that he be elevated to the highest position on the council. “I am humbled and honoured to accept this position,” he said.
In the afternoon, the auditorium was packed to capacity for the awards ceremony. In recognition of their outstanding achievements on the world stage, international team members from disciplines within ACI were presented with beautifully inscribed plaques.
This was followed with the presentation of certificates to coach tutors and coaches who had attended training seminars and child welfare courses at the University of Limerick during the year.
- Statutory Instrument (SI)81 of 2011 was signed into law last month by former minister Conor Lenihan. This SI revokes the previous SI 324 of 2010. The only change affected is an increase in the fixed charge to €150. Angling continues as before in line with existing regulations.
Suzanne Campion of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), said: “Misinformation in relation to this regulation has caused unnecessary concern within the angling community. IFI will continue to support the industry in promoting angling in Ireland and maximising economic benefit to the wider community.”
- Oughterard Anglers Boatmen'sAssociation held an educational programme for local schools on the important work at the Oughterard Hatchery in Co Galway. Students saw the incubation unit with circa 200,000 trout ova and holding tanks where the ova from adult hen trout is fertilised.
The hatchery is the oldest in the world, according to club secretary Kevin Prunty. “The work carried out is vital in maintaining stock levels of wild brown trout in Lough Corrib and the Owenriff River,” he said.
See oughterardanglers.com
- Dunganstown Union ishosting a fly-fishing competition and barbeque to raise funds for African Enterprise Malawi at Annamoe Trout Fishery, Co Wicklow, next Sunday from 10.30am to 5pm. To enter, contact David Dobbs at addobbs@eircom.net or 087-967 3111.
angling@irishtimes.com