IFI announces €23,971 grant for Westmeath river habitat restoration project

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has announced funding tfor a County Westmeath project to help restore brown trout stocks, and their habitats.

IFI’s Habitats and Conservation Scheme has awarded €23,971 to the Hanstown restoration project – delivered by IFI in collaboration with the Lough Ennell Trout Preservation Association.

The project is part of works to restore fish spawning areas at Lough Ennell and focuses on three nearby rivers, including the Hanstown stream.

The Hanstown Project involves a 1km stretch of Hanstown stream. It includes the creation of pools to improve the instream fish habitat, the placement of river gravels for fish spawning, and the installation of riverside fencing to keep livestock out of important spawning and nursery areas.

Dr Eamonn Kelly, Inland Fisheries Ireland CEO, commented: “Healthy fish populations in Ireland’s rivers and lakes make an important contribution to the economic and social fabric of Ireland’s villages, towns, and cities.

“IFI’s Habitats and Conservation Scheme aims to protect and develop this community resource.”

The CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland continued: “I am pleased that IFI is partnering with communities and stakeholders on this Scheme to help restore resilient habitats for new generations of freshwater fish.”

Since 2016 IFI has provided €9.6m to different groups nationwide and fisheries development experts through its Habitats and Conservation Scheme.

The competitive scheme, administered by IFI, supports sustainable initiatives to ensure native salmon and sea trout survive and thrive, and overcome ongoing challenges they face in the wild.

It comprises IFI’s Salmon and Sea Trout Rehabilitation, Conservation and Protection Fund, and the Midlands Fisheries Fund.

Monies for the scheme are generated by the sale of salmon and sea trout angling licences and permits, and commercial fishing licences in Ireland.