Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has today (26.04.16) announced its intention to phase out its fish farming operations over the coming years. A plan will now be developed to implement this decision.
The IFI Board, having reviewed the fish farm operations from both the technical and resource allocation perspectives, has chosen this course of action to ensure that IFI can deliver on its core remit of conservation, protection and development.
IFI management met with the small number of staff who are directly involved in fish farming operations last week to inform them of the decision and has given assurances that there will be no compulsory redundancies as a result of this move and that their employment with IFI will continue.
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Dr Ciaran Byrne, CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland, said: “IFI has performed a technical and financial review of its fish farming operations. Reduced resources within the organisation do not allow for the continuation of these aquaculture activities in the medium to long-term. The Board has no alternative but to phase out this element of its work and concentrate on the conservation, protection and development of Ireland’s inland fisheries and sea angling resources.
“IFI appreciates that many state and club waters have been stocked from IFI fish farms over many decades. We acknowledge the support of IFI’s customers and regret the organisation is unable to continue supporting fish stocking in this manner. The phase out plan will include consultation with affected stakeholders.”
For more information, visit www.fisheriesireland.ie.