4.1 NUMBERS OF VISITING ANGLERS

According to the latest available issue of Bord Failte's 'Angling Profile Bulletin' compiled and issued by their Market Planning Section - dated 12 June 2001, 170,000 out-of-state anglers visited Ireland during calendar year 1996 to participate in angling holidays. Of this figure, 94,000 were categorised as specialist overseas tourist anglers.
The May 1998 issue of the 'Angling Profile Bulletin' sets out Bord Failte's figures for 1994 (the first year for which a detailed breakdown for all the angler categories is available) and records specialist pike angler numbers reaching 31,000 for that year. However, equally eye-catching figures are those set out for visiting game anglers, with a breakdown in numbers detailing brown trout anglers at 8,000, sea trout anglers came in at 7,000 and salmon anglers at 13,000 for the 1994 angling season.
The combined total for all three categories of visiting game angler amounted to 28,000 against 31,000 specialist pike anglers and a combined total of 61,000 for both specialist pike and specialist coarse anglers.

Bord Failte's profile of visiting angler by type for the years 1996 to 1999 indicate visiting game angler numbers remained static during this four year period. The bulletin sets out the following information.

By contrast, the same period recorded a very significant decline in the number of specialist pike and coarse anglers visiting Ireland.

This breakdown in visiting specialist angler numbers by type for the period 1996 - "99 again was compiled and published by Bord Failte's 'Market Planning Section'. The figures clearly support the notion that those state bodies engaged in the promotion and marketing of Ireland's angling resources have failed dismally despite the largest single investment in our inland fisheries amounting to Euro24m (IR£19m) under the Operational Programme for Tourism - Tourism Angling Measure 1994 -"99. The collapse is all the more difficult to comprehend at a time of unprecedented wealth generation across most European economies during this period.
By 1999, the total number of specialist /dedicated anglers visiting our shores had plummeted to 92,000, with further slippage recorded in 2000 with only 89,000 anglers coming here according to Bord Failte.

4.1

4.2 TOURIST PIKE ANGLER SPEND

The first hand sales value of angling tourism to the Irish Economy for the 1996 season has been calculated at Euro 84.7m (IR£66.71m) (excluding access transport) based on an average spend for all categories of specialist angler in the amount of Euro901.50 (IR£710.00) per angler (ref T.D.I.Report,Oct "96).

Additionally, Bord Failte has identified from a total of 170,000 visitors who participated in angling in 1996, that 94,000 were classified as specialist anglers. From this number representing all categories of specialist angler, 22,000 were visiting for the sole purpose of participating in specialist pike angling holidays. The first hand value to the Irish Economy for this category of angler amounts to Euro29.15m (IR£22.95m), based on the average spend (excluding access transport) of Euro1325.00 (IR£1043.50) per overseas pike angler (ref.T.D.I. Report, Oct. "96).

4.2

4.3 DOMESTIC PIKE ANGLER SPEND

In 1995/6 the Marine Institute commissioned a report entitled "National Survey of Water-based Leisure Activities". This research was carried out by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) and some of the reports key findings are set out below:

1. Over 190,000 Irish people were involved in angling at the time of this survey
2. Expenditure by all domestic anglers amounted to Euro34.30m (IR£27.01m) in 1995/96
3. Expenditure by domestic coarse/pike anglers was calculated at Euro9.57m (IR£7.54m)
4. Expenditure by domestic game anglers was calculated at Euro13.13m (IR£10.34m)
5. Expenditure by domestic shore sea anglers amounted to Euro7.34m (IR£5.78m)
6. Expenditure by domestic boat sea anglers was Euro4.25m (IR£3.35m)

4.3

4.4 VALUE OF LOST PIKE ANGLING REVENUE TO THE ECONOMY

Section 4.4.2 & 4.4.3 are an IPS submission

As no definitive figures have been made available covering the 2001 and 2002 angling tourism seasons, one can postulate with a degree of accuracy the magnitude of the drop in angling tourism numbers as a consequence of the "Foot & Mouth" outbreak, followed by the unprecedented events of September 11, 2001. These two events coming as they did at a time when both the US and European economies were and continue to slide toward an economic slump, have led to our present position which can best be described as a collapse in the number of visiting anglers. Given the significant percentage falls recorded across other sectors of Ireland's tourism industry, angling tourism analysts and industry commentators are obliged to take a conservative position when calculating the number of specialist anglers visiting Ireland during the 2002 season. If we accept a notional figure of 10,000 as being a realistic one for the 2002 season, we can calculate the loss of gross revenue to the Irish economy as follows:

In 1994, specialist pike angler tourist figures peaked at 31,000 anglers. We know from the "1996 TDI Report" that the per capita spend by overseas pike anglers was calculated at Euro1,325.00 (excluding access costs). Therefore the peak loss of 21,000 on the historic high of 31,000 specialist pike anglers for the intervening 8 years to Y/E 2002, represents a peak loss of Euro27.83m for 2002, with an additional loss (reducing in size) experienced in each of the previous years, commensurate with the differential recorded each year.

Please note, as detailed figures for Y/E 2000, 2001 and 2002 are not available at the time of writing, conservative estimates have been used for the purposes of this exercise - denoted by "e".

Therefore total revenue loss can be calculated as amounting to Euro169.57m

Although this figure represents a very significant loss of income to the Irish economy as a whole, it is in small vulnerable rural communities, dependant on 'ripple effect' wealth creation that emanates from a vibrant pike angling tourism industry where the losses are felt most. A successful angling tourism sector in rural Ireland is one of the classic examples of the multiplier effect working at its best.

How can this be so given the levels of unprecedented growth experienced by many European economies for close on five years? Ireland was well positioned to take full advantage of this pan-European boom of unequalled prosperity. Throughout this boom, conservative estimates by tourism industry commentators forecast rates of 5% - 7% year-on-year growth in the number of visiting anglers coming to Ireland. Patently this has not occurred.

We must ask the question - why has Ireland failed so spectacularly to maintain tourist angler numbers at an historic level of 150,000 - 160,000 visitors per annum, let alone record modest growth in numbers since 1996 to the present as was forecast? The reasons for the abysmal failure are many and varied.
The primary and all-important reason for the 'across the board' collapse is the perception held by many overseas anglers that Ireland's once unassailable reputation as a sport fishing mecca has all but disappeared due to the ravages of pollution, over-fishing and destruction of fish habitat. Whether or not this perception bears any relationship to reality makes no difference as it is the story and/or image that has been conveyed from our riverbanks and lakeshores to our target market - our fellow anglers, overseas.

4.4.1

Much of the responsibility for this appalling situation rests fairly and squarely with the actions or indeed inaction of both the Central and Regional Fishery Boards during the period 1995 to the present.

Countless years of bankrupt and flawed fishery management policies have left an indelible mark on the minds of visiting anglers that Ireland's fishing was being systematically destroyed by the very same organisations that are charged with the conservation, protection and development of Ireland's inland fisheries. The overtly duplicitous actions by certain fishery boards down the years have led to a deep cynicism and resentment developing in not only the domestic pike / coarse angler but more importantly, in the repeat visiting angler.

All sport fishing and especially overseas sport fishing thrives on positive press and feel-good images as evidenced by the numerous articles and accounts of successful and bountiful fishing trips that appear in the angling press. But equally, the angling tourism industry is very sensitive to the cold winds of negative criticism that emanate from dissatisfied angling/outdoor writers. One example is that of well known pike angler and author Neville Fickling who wrote in the Pike & Predator magazine in December 1999 "Mask is the only water I have ever fished where it was possible on any given day to say there is probably a 40lb plus pike somewhere down there. That 40 is probably in a hole in the ground courtesy of the WRFB."

This constant stream of negative commentary, culminating in leader articles accompanied by graphic images of butchered specimen pike and brown trout appearing in most of the important European angling magazines, has certainly made an impact. Such emotive and provocative articles showing images of drowning and indeed drowned ducks, otters, swans and other wildlife is the death knell for any angling tourism industry - regardless of whether this negative press is focused on a regional or national issue. Bad press is bad press and harsh negative commentary inflicts serious damage to a media dependent, tourist sport fishing industry.

Reports of incidents of a serious nature involving fishery board field staff or senior fishery management will almost always result in negative reportage with the attendant collateral damage to vulnerable angling tourism enterprises struggling to survive in a competitive, international sport fishing market. A total disregard for the needs of domestic pike anglers and a lack of understanding of the standard of sport expected and demanded by the discerning international tourist angler market by many fisheries personnel, only serves to highlight the gulf that now exists between Ireland and competing angling tourism destinations.

This lack of understanding of the needs and expectations of today's sophisticated tourist pike angling sector as revealed by many senior figures within the Central and Regional Board also includes their paucity of knowledge of the pike-angling product. This disclosure of ignorance compounded by a closed mindset is singularly responsible for turning away tens of thousands of anglers from either coming here as first time visitors or as repeat regulars to Ireland. Repeat visitors are the life-blood of any tourism sector.

In fact, many European angling writers have consciously refrained from writing about or promoting Irish pike angling due to the duplicitous policies of the CFB and some Regional Boards - including the unacceptable use of gill nets as a fishery management tool in these times of biodiversity awareness and environmental enlightenment. A complete change in pike management practices by the Regional Boards must take effect if the downward spiral in visitor angler numbers is to be halted and ultimately turned around.

In addition, overseas pike anglers have witnessed the slaughter of our pike stocks by unscrupulous fishmonger types purporting to be engaged in genuine angling. Countless attempts by visiting and local anglers to have offending piking pirates apprehended by disinterested fisheries officers, have instilled a deep-rooted cynicism in these once regular visitors to our lakes and rivers. Ireland can ill-afford to treat her valuable customers so shabbily.

4.4.2

The much-publicised decline in the once prolific and internationally renowned Shannon pike fishery further supports the contention held by informed angling writers that senior management and indeed the members of the Shannon Board have no real interest in pike or coarse fish for that matter. The Shannon catchment accounts for over 20% of Ireland's entire freshwater resources and was regarded as Ireland's most important river catchment in terms of angling tourism economic activity. This situation has changed utterly over the past five years with a fall in the number of British coarse anglers visiting the mid /upper Shannon region of almost 80% on the recorded high of the 1996 figures provided by angling tourism operators.

The revelatory remarks made by Eamonn Cusack, Chief Executive Officer of the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board at a meeting between pike angling interests and senior staff of the ShRFB on 13 November 2000 give little cause for optimism to angling operators struggling to survive in what has become an increasingly competitive international market place. The remarks afford a unique and undoubtedly accurate insight, held widely among anglers, that the Board Members and Management of the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board have little or no interest in any species other than members of the salmonid family.
The remarks by the Shannon Board's CEO were made in response to concerns raised about the very obvious lack of interest at Board level for the well-being of the Shannon's pike and coarse fish stocks. The Shannon Board's Chief Executive Officer responded with the following remarks: "my twenty-two man board have no real interest in pike, or coarse fish for that matter and that's your problem."

According to the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board's official website, the following are their stated objectives:

The Board aims to:
o conserve and protect fish stocks, water quality and the fishery environment.
o develop and enhance fish stocks
o develop and support the angling product
o assist through angling development, the creation of jobs and bring economic benefit to local communities.

There are many coarse and pike anglers - both domestic and overseas, who would dispute the degree of sincerity and truthfulness of the Shannon Board in their feigning any real interest in pike and coarse angling tourism development within their region. More importantly, there are a great many angling writers and magazine editors who know the above objectives to be a sham and liable to mislead their readership and thus will not promote the angling potential of the Shannon region. These writers, as do other concerned anglers, feel coarse and pike anglers have been treated contemptuously by the ShRFB over the years. The old adage "THE CUSTOMER IS KING" has obviously not been adopted as a basic tenet for successful business practice by the management and staff of the Shannon Board.

In any other area of business, senior management and board members would have been called to account by the shareholders and resignations demanded and received.
As if to underline just how out of touch the board and management of the ShRFB really are with the price sensitivities and overall competitiveness of the sport fishing market, they go and score the biggest "own goal" in Irish sport fishing history. The imposition of a compulsory annual Euro30.00 angling fee covering pike and coarse angling on certain designated coarse fisheries will sound the death knell for affected angling tourism operators. Most, if not all of the levied waters that come under this new Euro30.00 fee are located within the BMW Region - an area designated by the EU as being severely disadvantaged in economic development and infrastructural investment compared to the rest of Ireland and indeed Europe. This seems to be an extraordinarily unjust and unwise decision. This is a fishing licence in everything but name and could hardly come at a more inopportune time as Ireland's angling tourism businesses reel as a result of the collapse in visitor anglers.

The scale of mismanagement by the ShRFB as evidenced by a catalogue of controversial incidents, together with their collective paucity in understanding the needs of/and standards demanded by today's pike angler, is a cause for grave concern among the pike angling fraternity and angling operators alike.
Given the economic forecasts for all tourism sectors here in Ireland and with the inexorable slide by many European economies toward recession, the Board's policies are simply astounding.

4.4.3

4.5 THE FUTURE - WHERE TO FROM HERE?

In order to find a solution, first we must confront the causative problems. There has to be a collective recognition and acceptance that pike are a highly valuable national asset. Historically, Ireland's position as the best location for producing more pike over 35 pounds than any other country remained unassailable for more than three hundred years.

In Fred Buller's remarkable and authoritative tome - "The Domesday Book of Mammoth Pike" (published 1979), the author investigated and documented the accounts of the captures of 230 mammoth pike - each weighing 35 pounds or more. Of the 230 fish recorded on the 'Big Pike List' of this unique piece of angling research, 149 had their provenance in Ireland! That Ireland was indeed a regular producer of truly enormous pike there is little doubt.

Northern pike are a predatory sport fish par excellence and enjoy a huge following worldwide. In a survey carried out in 1996 by a leading US sports research institute based in Alexandria, Va., northern pike were accorded the mantle - "the world's most sought after sport fish" - a true circumpolar species.

From information provided to this writer during visits to senior personnel in the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development (RWED) in the Canadian Northwest Territories, it would appear we in Ireland can learn much from the strict fish conservation codes of practice in force there. (ref. per. comm. Kevin MacLellan, Manager RWED, Yellowknife; Gerd Fricke, Manager Tourism & Parks, Deh Cho Region, Fort Simpson; Lindsay Kulak, Manager Tourism & Parks, GNWT, Yellowknife).

The Northwest Territories of Canada comprises an area extending to 1.7 million square miles and has a population of 41,000 people. Yellowknife the capital, is home to 18,000 people. With most of the territories devoid of man's presence, NWT is a pristine, unexplored wilderness, offering some of the finest trophy pike and lake trout fishing in the world. It is not uncommon to land 70 - 100 fish per rod in 10-12 hours of fishing, with 10% of the catch surpassing trophy status (weight > 20lbs+) for both pike and trout. Yet, despite an embarrassment of riches with the five star quality of their fishing, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) through RWED have imposed strict laws governing fish conservation and the use of barbless hooks. They also promote a strong "catch & release" ethic among local and visiting anglers alike.

GNWT Fish and Wildlife Officers have impressed upon me the critical need for strict fish conservation laws to deter remote fishing camp operators from depleting the highly-valued large trophy fish resource from these cold, sub-arctic lakes and rivers.
In essence the reason the Territories are enjoying a huge surge in angling tourism numbers is due to the prolific trophy fishing. If this quality fishing disappeared, so too would the visiting anglers.

Florida sees an annual influx of over 11million out-of-state sport fishermen. The most sought after species is the largemouth bass and this species alone is responsible for attracting millions of devotees from all points in North America to Florida's myriad of lakes, canals and ponds. The numbers of recorded trophy largemouths (fish > 10lbs) has been rising steadily over the past twenty years and this despite a very large increase over the same period in the numbers of anglers pursuing their favourite species of bass. Officers with Florida's Department of Fish and Game are unanimous in their agreement that the increase in the numbers of trophy largemouths is directly linked to the practice of 'catch & release' sport fishing alongwith strict fishery law enforcement throughout the 'Sunshine State'. The same success applies to their world famous tarpon fishing, available along Florida's Gulf Coast as well as the more familiar tarpon resorts located along the Keys.

All those I consulted with agree that the statewide epidemic of 'catch & release' has been the single most important factor influencing the quality of tarpon fishing throughout the State of Florida.

4.5.1

All States in the US including Alaska, Wisconsin and Minnesota and all Canadian provinces including Ontario, Saskatchewan and Manitoba employ and enforce strict fish conservation laws and bag limits to protect their highly valuable and greatly valued sport fisheries. Sport fishing is the most popular participation sport in the world and in North America represents an enormous industry.

In a 1997 study carried out by Dr. Vishwanie Maharaj of the American Sportfishing Association, Virginia - 51 million US anglers spent US$108billion pursuing their favourite pastime during that year. This amount represents the total economic impact of recreational fishing on the American economy. Furthermore, the US sportfishing industry supported 1.3 million jobs during 1997 - a very significant contribution to the US economy!

Clearly the future success or failure of Irish angling tourism is dependent on a major shift in mind and attitude towards pike. Either we continue to regard pike as vermin to be purged or we accept and respect it for what it is - the world's most sought after sport fish.

AFB Jan. 2003.

4.5.2

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