Written By: Anglers Voice
On Date: 12/10/2004
The National Angling Email Register at AnglersVoice.com has received many requests that we write to you in your capacity as Minister for Tourism. In recent publications (such as detailed at the end of this a decline in revenue in Angling Tourism.
From the negative comments we have been receiving at Anglersvoice.com regarding your governments policies on Salmon Drift Net Fishing, it seems that our members have chosen alternative venues for 2005. Not one person has asked that we consider Ireland as a venue for an organised
fishing trip!, this is not good news for your department.
Here's a copy of some recent publicity sent into us at AV
ONCE a cornerstone of Ireland's tourism industry, angling is the fastest-declining sector of the holiday market, according to Failte Ireland, the tourism authority. Accounting for 169,000 visitors in 1996, rod fishing is expected to bring in fewer than 85,000 holiday makers this year - a drop of 50%.
The decline has been caused primarily by falling fish stocks caused by drift-net fishing off the west coast and by pollution.
But the high costs associated with holidaying in the republic are also thought to be a significant reason for the downfall.
Earlier this year, the government introduced a rule limiting the number of game fish caught by anglers to one. The drastic measure was imposed for the duration of the summer with a view to bolstering dwindling salmon numbers.
Angling associations say that if the restriction is laid down next year as well, the angling business will suffer irreparable damage. The tourist industry, once worth more than ¤100m (£69m) to the economy, only netted ¤55m last year.
Jack Charlton, the republic's former football manager who bought a cottage in Mayo to feed his passion for fishing, said: "There is nobody I know who has fished in Ireland for a long time who is pleased with what is going on. When I first came to the Ridge pool in Ballina there were people from Holland, Germany, England and the north and south of
Ireland. Then there began to be problems in land access and the need for every fish to be tacked. ¤80 permits only allow for a morning's fishing, and this year you were only allowed one fish. All these rules mean the only non-local anglers are from Northern Ireland."
"It's too complicated. People like to have a couple of pints and to fish, not to have to deal with all of these rules. Most salmon you see have net marks. I've never personally agreed with net fishing. I just like to go fishing and I don't like all the hassle."
Falling numbers of anglers holidaying in Ireland have been a feature since the 1990s, with the market reaching an all-time low in 2002, in the aftermath of September 11 and the foot-and-mouth scare. Whereas other sectors such as golfing and walking holidays recovered significantly, angling did not.
Some small bed & breakfasts, which relied on the sport for custom, have already closed while larger fishing lodges have cut their staff numbers.
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Sincerely,
Kevin, Coordinator AnglersVoice
Attention:- Minister for Tourism, John O'Donoghue