#Angling - Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has announced the establishment of the second National Inland Fisheries Forum (NIFF).
Angling federations, groups and individuals are requested to nominate candidates for membership on the forum, established under the Inland Fisheries Act 2010 to provide a mechanism to recognise the important contribution of a wide range of stakeholders to the policies of IFI and their inputs into the sector generally.
During its first term, a specific objective of the NIFF was also to ensure that this contribution was not lost when the Regional Fisheries Boards were abolished as part of the process of establishing IFI.
The initial cycle of the NIFF was launched in October 2011 and concluded its three-year term in 2014. Following a comprehensive review of its first cycle, its structure and function has been modified to enable more effective operations.
In accordance with the provision in the 2010 Act, the minister has had an input into this review process and has signed off on the revised structure.
To recognise the special role of angling stakeholders, each of the main angling organisations has been requested to nominate two of their members to represent their interests for the duration of the second cycle of the NIFF. It is anticipated that these nominees will then be appointed to the forum by the minister.
The process of selecting the remaining members of the new forum will be managed by the Public Appointment Service (PAS) with the support of IFI. The forum shall consist of not more than 60 members.
Commenting on the revised process for the appointment of members to the Forum, IFI chief executive Dr Ciaran Byrne said: “The restructured forum provides an important opportunity for all stakeholders to contribute to the development of policies in respect of the Irish inland fisheries resource.
"The combined forum membership is expected to comprise people with knowledge in the areas of recreational fisheries, environmental organisations, business, fishery owners, tourism and marketing, agriculture, aquaculture, commercial fisheries [and] heritage.
"I am confident that membership will span all appropriate sectors and regions and will lead to improved input to inland fisheries policy and future development.”
The PAS has compiled an information booklet providing additional information on the recruitment process and the next cycle of the NIFF.
