Written answers

Tuesday, 22 October 2013

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Angling Sector Issues

Photo of Michael MoynihanMichael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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334. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has viewed the Inland Fisheries Ireland report compiled by Tourism Development Ireland and launched on 18 July 2013 which states that the salmon and sea trout angling subsector alone accounts for 189,000 anglers in 2012 generating a value to the economy based of IFI's calculated average spend of between €360 and €1,723 per angler of €310 million; if he will confirm that only 19,899 licences for game angling for salmon and sea trout were sold and distributed by the IFI in 2011; the reason for this discrepancy; if he will give assurances that the IFI is not overseeing a situation where 90% of wild salmon and sea trout caught by rod and line are illegal, undocumented or entering the food chain in a traceable fashion. [44161/13]

Photo of Michael MoynihanMichael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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335. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will explain the difference in value accorded to salmon and game angling in Ireland in the 2014 Tourism Development Ireland report of €310 million which is being used as justification for investment in the sector, versus the value of €38 million at the sale of 19,899 licences generated using the same TDI methodology. [44162/13]

Photo of Michael MoynihanMichael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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336. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will explain the significant increase in value placed on salmon and game angling in Ireland in the 2013 Tourism Development Ireland report of €310 million on the value of €38 million for the sales figure of 19,899 licences generated using the same methodology and the value of €4.6 million for the sector as presented to the Oireachtas in the April 2003 Indecon report compiled for the IFI's predecessor, the Central Fisheries Board. [44163/13]

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 334 to 336, inclusive, together.

The most comprehensive study of the recreational angling sector ever undertaken was carried out by Tourism Development Ireland (TDI) on behalf of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). I am advised that TDI is a renowned and widely respected professional consultancy company with a global presence. TDI have been commissioned internationally by such clients as the United Nations, the European Union, the World Bank, the World Tourism Organisation, the Irish American Cultural Institute and a range of multinational companies. Government Departments and Agencies from EU Member States and from countries worldwide have also engaged TDI for expert advice and analysis. In Ireland, TDI has carried out work for the Marine Institute, Failte Ireland, Udaras na Gaeltacht as well as a host of Local Authorities and regional organisations. In the Northern Ireland and cross border context its clients include Waterways Ireland, Tourism Ireland, Northern Ireland Tourist Board and the Loughs Agency.

The principal results of the professional and wide-ranging study of Ireland’s recreational angling sector, which was published in July 2013, estimate that recreational angling in Ireland contributes €755 million to the Irish economy and supports in excess of 10,000 jobs in peripheral and rural areas. I am advised that the results in this report are based on sound economic principles and have been peer reviewed before publication. IFI have confirmed that the Deputy is correct that 19,899 salmon licenses were sold in 2011. However, it is important to be cognisant of the specific question asked in the published survey, as well as the incidence of targeting multiple species.

At no point does this study reference a specific monetary value for any individual species. I understand that there has been comment attributed to a UK based website on the published study. IFI advise that having examined the figures put forward in that comment, it appears that the estimated maximum participation values for one species were erroneously mixed and inappropriately extrapolated with average spend figures for all species which unfortunately underpin a complete misunderstanding of the study’s findings. I have arranged for a copy of the study to be provided to the Deputy to afford him an opportunity to review it fully and would be happy to arrange a full briefing with IFI personnel.

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