Annual Report & Financial Statements 2018 Inland Fisheries Ireland 1 Annual Report & Financial Statements 2018
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Annual Report & Financial Statements 2018 Inland Fisheries Ireland 1 Annual Report & Financial Statements 2018 Mission statement Contents “To ensure that the valuable natural resources of inland fisheries and sea angling are conserved, managed, developed, and promoted in their own right to generate a Chairman’s Introduction 2 positive return for the community and the environment.” Chief Executive Officer’s Foreword 4 Inland Fisheries Ireland: Board Members 6 Inland Fisheries Ireland: Senior Leadership Team 7 Principal Functions of Inland Fisheries Ireland 1. Protecting and Conserving Ireland’s Inland Fisheries Ireland is the statutory body responsible Fisheries Resource 8 for inland fisheries in Ireland. It operates under the aegis Safeguarding our fisheries 9 of the Department of Communications, Climate Action Protecting the habitats and environment that fish need 17 and Environment (DCCAE). Assessing and mitigating the impacts of development on the fisheries resource 19 The principal function of Inland Fisheries Ireland is 2. Adding to our Knowledge about Ireland’s set out under Section 7 (2) of the Inland Fisheries Fisheries Resource 26 Act of 2010. This is the protection, management and Collating data on fish and their habitats 28 conservation of the inland fisheries resource. The general Studies on particular species 35 functions of IFI are to: Research to support national and international reporting requirements 39 Other research programmes 43 IFI research publications 2018 46 a. Promote, support, facilitate and advise the Minister on the conservation, protection, management, marketing, 3. Developing our Angling Resource 48 development and improvement of inland fisheries, Identifying funding for angling development 51 including sea angling. Encouraging stakeholder engagement in fisheries development 54 b. Develop and advise the Minister on policy and national Ensuring the sustainable development of angling resources 56 Protecting and conserving the fisheries resource 62 strategies relating to inland fisheries including sea Promoting and marketing angling 66 angling, and Opening up access to angling 71 c. To ensure implementation and delivery of policy and strategies developed under (b) as agreed with the 4. Supporting Efficiency and Effectiveness 78 Minister. Human resources 79 Financial management 79 Information and transparency 81 Health & safety 82 Property and fleet management 82 Inland Fisheries Ireland 3044 Lake Drive Glossary 83 Citywest Business Campus Dublin D24 Y265 Appendices 86 Audit and Risk Committee Annual Report 2018 87 Web: www.fisheriesireland.ie Financial Statements 97 Email: [email protected] Phone: + 353 (0)1 8842 600 2 Inland Fisheries Ireland Inland Fisheries Ireland 3 Annual Report & Financial Statements 2018 Annual Report & Financial Statements 2018 Chairman’s Introduction strategic plans and targets in its five-year very conscious of the deterrent value of highly I wish to express my gratitude and the corporate plan and in its annual business plan publicised convictions for infringements of appreciation of the Board, to Ministers of and accompanying budget. The Board takes the Fisheries Acts. The phased delivery of State for Communications, Climate Action and strategic decisions on key business issues the twelve new sea-going rigid inflatable Environment, Seán Kyne and Seán Canney and also deals with the reserved functions as boats (RIBs) will further support and enhance and to their courteous and dedicated officials outlined in the 2010 Act. protection patrols at sea. for their unstinting support and commitment. The ordinary day-to-day management, The summer 2018 heat wave affected fish and In conclusion I want to again express my direction and control of Inland Fisheries angling in many adverse ways. Freshwater appreciation and that of the entire Board Ireland is the responsibility of the Chief fisheries suffered for a prolonged spell to the dedicated and committed staff who Executive and the senior management team. of significantly low water levels and high continue to facilitate the delivery of an efficient The Chief Executive and senior management temperatures in some salmonid streams and professional fishery service. must follow the broad strategic direction necessitated fish rescue operations. Healthy It gives me great pleasure to present adopted by the Board and must ensure that fish stocks require well-tended habitats the 2018 Inland Fisheries Ireland all board members are regularly apprised of and the maintenance and enhancement of Annual Report. The report focuses progress on strategic policy implementation fish habitats continues to be a priority for on the principal functions of Inland and any significant risks likely to arise. The the organisation. Capital investment in the Board is also responsible for the keeping of National Strategy for Angling Development Fisheries Ireland, as set out in the Chairman Inland Fisheries Act 2010, which are adequate accounting records and for the continues to fund infrastructural projects to the protection, conservation and safeguarding of its assets and hence for the provide improved facilities and greater access management of the inland fisheries taking of reasonable steps for the prevention to angling. and detection of fraud and other irregularities. resource. However, the Board recognises that a A specific function of the Board is to advise The Chief Executive Officer is an ex-officio sustainable source of operational funding is the Minister on policies and strategies relating member of the Board of Inland Fisheries required to engage in the levels of fish habitat to inland fisheries including sea angling. The Ireland and acts as a direct liaison between enhancement and maintenance required to Act allows the Board to establish such sub- the Board and the management team. significantly improve fish stocks. committees, as it considers prudent to assist Protection staff continued their sterling The Board recently approved substantial the Board in the formulation of policies in efforts to protect our valuable fish stocks and capital funding to upgrade the vehicular fleet. specific areas. habitats throughout 2018 and the removal of The fleet manager will ensure that the number The Board is accountable to the Minister any uncertainty with regard to Inland Fisheries and type of vehicles is appropriate to the for Communication, Climate Action and Ireland’s authority to prosecute fisheries organisation’s requirements. offences was essential for the operation Environment and is responsible for ensuring Many of Inland Fisheries Ireland’s processes of the service. The Board acknowledges good governance and compliance with the continue to be digitised and this will improve and appreciates the fraught and difficult provisions of the Code of Practice for the efficiency and allow us more time to environment in which much of the core Governance of State Bodies. The Board concentrate on core activities. performs its statutory remit by setting out protection functions are carried out and is 4 Inland Fisheries Ireland Inland Fisheries Ireland 5 Annual Report & Financial Statements 2018 Annual Report & Financial Statements 2018 Chief Executive Officer’s Foreword of time rescuing and relocating fish trapped achieved. Understandably, this has been a changes to the fleet system has been the by low waters or that had become vulnerable difficult transition for some stakeholders, as reduction in fuel usage, which will not only where rivers had dried out. Both the weather the level of governance surrounding projects save money but will also help us achieve our conditions and the more intense impact of has increased significantly in recent years. emission reduction targets. pollution events in low, warm water conditions On the internal side of the business 2018 was Finally, towards the end of 2018 IFI initiated did lead to a number of fish mortalities. Given also very successful and IFI has continued on a new programme management approach the extreme conditions, however, it was a its path of improvement and modernisation. to how we deliver our services. This will help welcome relief that fish populations were not Almost €3.5 million was spent on twelve sea- us to better identify priorities and allocate impacted even further. One of the positive going RIBs which will significantly enhance resources, so that we can be more effective in aspects to emerge from this extreme weather our staff’s capacity to protect salmon stocks delivering on key organisational programmes event was that it brought together a range at sea. These boats are built to the highest – ensuring that we do the right things and do of agencies with statutory responsibilities and most up-to-date standards, and with 2019 things right. This programme management pertaining to water to help manage the crisis I am delighted to have the opportunity being International Year of the Salmon, their approach is one of the sub-actions advocated and to work together in a much more cohesive to welcome you to the 2018 Annual deployment represents a significant and timely in the Department of Expenditure and fashion than previously. The weather crisis Report of Inland Fisheries Ireland investment in salmon. IFI also introduced Reform’s development and innovation plan, also brought a stronger focus on the impact (IFI), which sets out at a high level the an organisation-wide Time Management Our Public Service 2020. of climate change on our freshwater systems work we have done in 2018. From the System for all staff – this is operated through and fish populations, and an examination of Finally I would like to thank Ministers Kyne outset I would like to thank all our mobile phones and will allow a better the actions that we might take to assist in and Canney and the Board of IFI for the firm staff for their immense contribution in understanding of how and where we face the mitigating such events in the future. support they have given us throughout 2018 most pressure on our staff resources. Rolling making 2018 as successful as it was and which has enabled the leadership team On the fisheries development side of IFI out the system is a significant achievement in often challenging conditions.