Community Groups & Angling Clubs are invited to apply for over €1 million in Fisheries Funding
Inland Fisheries Ireland launches Habitats and Conservation Funding Call 2021
Since 2016, a value in excess of €4 million has been awarded by Inland Fisheries Ireland to over 200 projects across the country. Inland Fisheries Ireland will be opening a new funding round which is available to eligible* community groups and angling clubs throughout the Republic of Ireland. The grant funding will be available to sustainable fisheries conservation and development projects with over €1 million announced.
Expression of interests (EOI): In the first instance, applicants must complete an EOI on IFI’s grants management portal, a process which is open on a continuous basis all year round. Once the EOI is successfully completed, applicants can further develop their application on the grants management portal through appropriate engagement with IFI and specific requirements to your proposal. EOI’s are invited from angling clubs, fishery owners, local development associations, local authorities, tidy towns and others who may be looking to carry out relevant projects.
The 2021 funding call consists of two schemes made up of angler contributions to both funds.
- The Midlands Fisheries Fund (MFF) (€50,000)
This scheme focuses on sustainable development works in the midland fisheries permit area. The fund has been created through contributions from the permit income received via the Midlands Fisheries Group permit. Projects which will be eligible to receive support will improve fish habitats in a sustainable manner (e.g. habitat enhancement, control of exotic species etc.). New to the fund this year will be funding for projects that will benefit anglers and promote angling.
- The Salmon and Sea Trout Rehabilitation, Conservation and Protection Fund (SSTRCPF) (€1 Million)
The aim of this fund is to rehabilitate, protect and conserve Salmon and Sea Trout and their habitats. This year, funding will be available for habitat rehabilitation and conservation projects only (e.g. fish passage improvement, spawning enhancement, instream and bank protection, fencing, the removal and control of invasive species, etc.).
*To be eligible, applicants will have to have had contributed to the relevant fund through the purchasing of a Midland Fisheries Fund permit or a Salmon and Sea Trout angling or commercial licence.
Key Dates
The following timeline will be in place for the duration of the 2021 call:
- Funding call will be launched on 27th November 2020
- Completed EOI’s can transfer to full applications from the 30th of November then applications can be further developed
- Full applications must be submitted before 1730hrs on 28th January 2021
- Decisions on applications and grants will be announced in May 2021
Suzanne Campion, Head of Business Development at Inland Fisheries Ireland said: “We are committed to realising the potential of the fisheries resource from a social and economic perspective but also to protecting it for future generations to enjoy. Interested groups are invited to get in touch with us for further information with guidance available throughout the application process.”
For more information about the Habitats and Conservation Funding Call 2021, an information booklet is available for download, please visit www.fisheriesireland.ie/funding. All applicants must apply through an ‘Expression of Interest’ form to progress to full application. Full applications may be submitted until the closing date for applications on the 28th of January 2021.
The recipients of the 2020 funding call grants for the SSTCPF and MFF Schemes were:
| Fund | Category | Grantee | Project Description | Grant Award |
| SCF | Enhancement | Ormond Anglers Association | Habitat improvement plan for sections of Nenagh/Ollatrim River, Co. Tipperary | € 5,000 |
| SCF | Enhancement | Inland Fisheries Ireland | Bank revetments and riparian management on the River Suir at Ardfinnan, Co. Tipperary | € 18,000 |
| SCF | Enhancement | Inland Fisheries Ireland | Bank revetments and repairs on Thonoge River at Ballylooby, Co. Tipperary | € 21,527 |
| SCF | Enhancement | Inland Fisheries Ireland | Riparian development plan for a section of the River Suir at Beakstown, Thurles, Co. Tipperary | € 2,781 |
| SCF | Enhancement | Inland Fisheries Ireland | Riparian enhancement project on section of the River Suir at Templemore, Co. Tipperary | € 18,000 |
| SCF | Enhancement | Inland Fisheries Ireland | Environmental reports to support remedial work on a section of the River Erkina, Rathdowney, Co. Laois | € 5,000 |
| SCF | Enhancement | Bangor Angling Club | River rehabilitation work on the Glenturk and Owenmore fisheries, Co. Mayo | € 14,964 |
| SCF | Enhancement | Bandon Angling Association | Salmon habitat assessment of Cullenagh Lake Tributary, Bandon River, Co. Cork | € 3,936 |
| MFF | Enhancement | Lough Derravargh Angling Club | Yellow River Enhancement project phase 2, Co Westmeath | € 11,999 |
| MFF | Enhancement | Salmon & Sea Trout Recreational Anglers Ireland (SSTRAI) | Ballynacarrig River enhancement works phase 1, Co Laois | € 7,134 |
| MFF | Enhancement | Salmon & Sea Trout Recreational Anglers Ireland (SSTRAI) | Silver River (Kilcormac) River enhancement development plan – Phase 2 Co. Offaly | € 6,452 |
| MFF | Enhancement | Lough Ennell Trout Preservation Association | Design and screening for river enhancement Ennell streams Co. Westmeath | € 6,079 |
| MFF | Enhancement | Lough Owel Trout Preservation Association | Kilpatrick spawning stream enhancement development plan Co. Westmeath | € 3,884 |
