Westmeath fisherman celebrated by IFI
The contribution of Delvin fisherman Jessie Dalton to the delivery of a Scientific Eel Fishery in Lough Muckno was acknowledged at an Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) information day in Athlone.
Jessie is one of 11 fishermen in different areas in Ireland who are involved in the initiative.
IFI’s Information Day for the fishermen aimed to provide an update on the progress made through the Scientific Eel Fisheries and to recognise the contribution of the fishermen to date.
Jessie has been fishing in the area for 30 years, having been introduced to fishing when he started to help some of the older fishermen in the community.
Since last year, he has provided support to IFI by helping them fish for eel in a conservation focused manner with a view to gathering data which will help protect the species into the future.
Jessie’s son Luke (aged 18) is also interested in fishing and enjoys helping his father with his work.
Jessie’s local expertise and historical knowledge around eels in the area has provided invaluable support to IFI during the set up and delivery of a Scientific Eel Fishery.
The organisation commenced the process of setting up a network of scientific fisheries for eel around Ireland in 2016.
These scientific fisheries cover the different life stages (glass eel, elver, yellow and silver eel) and are distributed in key catchments around the country.
The purpose of the fisheries is to increase the knowledge around eels in Ireland ahead of the next EU review of this endangered species and to inform the management of eel populations which are currently in decline.
Dr Cathal Gallagher, head of Research and Development, said: “Jessie Dalton, along with the other commercial fishermen involved in this project, has historical and local knowledge around eel habits in the area.
“In many cases, this has been passed down through the generations. This important partnership between eel fishermen and research has one shared objective, to improve our knowledge of the state of the eel populations and to ensure their conservation for future generations.
“IFI appreciate the benefit of Citizen Science programmes such as this one which will preserve the heritage of eel fishing and at the same time deliver on the research requirements needed to report to the EU. I would like to recognise and thank all the fishermen involved for their support.”
Citizen science is growing in popularity and encompasses many different ways in which citizens who are non-scientists, are involved in scientific research projects.
The involvement of fishermen in the Scientific Eel Fisheries plays an important role in respecting the tradition and heritage of eel fishing in Ireland. Many of the fishermen come from families where eel fishing has been practised across several generations with local expertise and knowledge passed down through the years.
For more on IFI, see fisheriesireland.ie.