1. Socio-Economic Value of
Recreational Angling in
Ireland
Green and Blue Futures Conference, October 2013
Suzanne Campion, Head of Business Development

2. Strategic Goal
To develop the potential of
the inland fisheries sector,
by increasing the numbers
of resident and tourist
anglers and generating a
better return for Ireland.

3. Socio Economic Study of
Recreational Angling in Ireland
Methodology
Results
The River Suir

4. Methodology
Household Survey
Survey of Recreational Anglers
Stakeholder Survey
Desk Research

5. Results and Findings
•Up to 406,000 individuals participated in recreational angling in
Ireland in 2012
•Total direct expenditure on recreational angling in 2012 estimated to
be €555 million
•Direct expenditure of recreational angling by out-of-state anglers
estimated at €121 million
•With indirect and induced impacts, the overall impact of recreational
angling is estimated at approximately €755 million
•Total tourist angling expenditure can be estimated at approximately
€280 million.
•Recreational angling estimated to support approximately 10,000
jobs.

6. Results and Findings

7. Results and Findings
•There is evidence of a decline in recreational angling participation
levels in recent years
•Decline in participation attributed to a range of factors including:
Economic
Poor
recession
weather
Quality
Illegal
of fishing
practices

8. Results and Findings
•Domestic anglers participating in day fishing trips took an
average of 13.6 day angling trips
•One in four domestic anglers took an overnight fishing trip –
the average number of overnight trips taken by these anglers
was 5.25
•Overseas anglers are very loyal to Ireland and to specific
fisheries with individuals returning to the same fishery
•Overseas recreational anglers made an average of two
angling trips to Ireland in last 12 months

9. Results and Findings
•Respondents identified outstanding scenery and friendliness/ hospitality
as the most appealing aspect of Ireland as a destination for recreational
angling
•The Irish angling product is also highly rated in terms of:
Restful/relaxed
Quality
ambience
of accommodation
Reputation
of the fishing product
•Over three quarters of anglers considered the overall quality of the Irish
angling product to be ‘very good’ or ‘good’
•The perceived decline in fish stocks was cited as the primary reason for
dissatisfaction

10. Results and Findings
•The factors contributing to dissatisfaction with fish stocks were:
Lack
of fish
Over-fishing
Illegal fishing
Netting
Commercial fishing
Pollution
Invasive species
•Recreational anglers would welcome the following initiatives to improve angling in
Ireland
More
policing of fisheries
Increased protection of fish stocks
Conservation measures including invasive species management/eradication
Bank side management
Increase in catch and release

11. Results and Findings
•41% of all recreational anglers have taken a holiday
involving angling in other countries in the last 3 years
•Scotland, England, Spain and Scandinavia are the most
popular competitor countries visited
•The quality of angling – amount and size of fish – cited
as the most appealing aspect of competitor
destinations
•Competitor destinations have advantage over Ireland in
terms of perceived better management of their fisheries.

12. The River Suir
Probably the best River
Trout Fishery in Europe
( Dr Martin O Grady –
Irish Times 2012)
Trout Centre of Excellence - Cahir
Important Salmon Fishery

14. Value of Trout Angling
Trout Anglers spend €355 per trip
Up to 116,000 participants in Ireland with an
Additional 41,000 for NI and Overseas
Unique selling point of the Suir - big trout, great
river fishing, attractive to European and American
Anglers – and of course to our own local anglers
Important to have easy access to fisheries with permit availability,
potential on the Suir to develop a Suir Pass.
Protection of the resource required – Invasive
Species are a pernicious invader and can do serious
damage.

15. Value of Salmon Angling
Salmon Anglers spend €744 per trip
Up to 71,000 participants in Ireland
Up to 64,000 angling trips from NI and Overseas
32% of domestic angling trips are to the
South and South-east.
Loyalty to specific fisheries evident on the Suir

16. Socio-Economic Impacts
Sports Participation
Health and Well-being
Natural Environment
Community Development
Tourism and Rural Communities
Angling for Youth Development

17. Thank You