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About the Central Fisheries Board
The Central Fisheries Board is a statutory body with responsibility for inland fisheries and sea angling operating under the aegis of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and was established under the Fisheries Act 1980.
Angling Coaching Exams
22 February: Last week thirteen members of the Association of Professional Game Angling Instructors Ireland (APGAI Ire) returned to college to work towards their ‘Train the Trainer Award’. Want to see more? Visit What's Happening at the CFB.
Press Releases and Notices
- 22 February 2010: Minister Conor Lenihan launches the European Life+ Project Control of Aquatic Invasive Species in Ireland (CAISIE)
- 27 November: Expert Advisory Group Meets to Review Progress in Ireland’s Battle with Non-native Invasive Species
- 19 November: Inland Fisheries Bill published.
- 13 November: Consultation process - Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations for the 2010 Season.
- 05 November: Licensing of Fishing Rights by Tender
- 02 November: New Non-Native Invasive Plant Threatens South West’s Fisheries Habitat and Angling Tourism
- 22 October: 2008 Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Statistics Report Published
- 09 October: Satellite tagging of European eels helps reveal the mystery of migration and offers insight into cause of demise of stock
- Stop the spread of invasive species
- Archived Notices
- Archived Press releases
Mission Statement
"To ensure that the valuable natural resources of inland fisheries and sea angling are conserved, managed, developed and promoted in their own right and to support sustainable economic activity, job creation and recreational amenity."
Principal Functions
The principal functions of the CFB are to advise the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources on policy relating to the conservation, protection, management, development and improvement of inland fisheries and sea angling, to support, coordinate and provide specialist support services to the Regional Fisheries Boards and to advise the Minister on the performance by the Regional Fisheries Boards of their functions.
The CFB also has responsibilities in the following areas:
- Preparation of National Inland Fisheries Development Plans
- Administration of funding programmes, both National and EU
- The promotion and marketing of angling
- The management of its fish rearing operations
Central Fisheries Board may, in addition:
- provide such services for the management, conservation, protection, development, improvement or promotion of fisheries or matters relating to fisheries as it thinks fit;
- the Board may charge fees for these services as it thinks fit (except to a Regional Board or the Minister);
- in relation to an inland fishery, carry out such research or experimental work as it considers necessary for the performance of its functions. (The Board is restricted to involvement in research in relation to sea fish as existed prior to 2000)
Goals and Objectives
- To conserve and protect the ecology of fisheries habitats
- To promote and develop the concepts of sustainable development and the catchment management process for the long term health and best use of the resources
- To conserve, protect, manage and promote the development of the fisheries resources to achieve the optimal sustainable return to the economy
- To promote and market Ireland's angling product to optimise employment in angling and angling related businesses, particularly in rural communities
- To develop, encourage and maintain high standards of fisheries management
