Vision

The vision of RAI is:
Ireland will remain as one of the best places in the world to fish. Waters will be clean and stocks will be plentiful. There will be respect for scarce environmental resources which will be protected and developed in a sustainable way for future generations. There will be a wide range of opportunities for recreational anglers to fish in harmony and enjoyment. The lead organisations promoting and developing recreational angling will be well organised and viable, providing excellent services to their members at all levels through sound management, operations budgets and appropriate policies.

The goals of RAI are

• To develop excellence in the sport of angling
• To continue arranging a youth angling training programme
• To involve participation at all levels in angling of all kinds
• To encourage and foster high achievers in competitive angling
• To assist development of and support for the national recreational fishing organisations
• To secure new resources and support for these organisations
• The raise the profile of the recreational fishing sector
• To provide technical advice on relevant environmental, social and legal issues.

Directors/affiliated

Peter Wilson: Independent Chairman and Company Secretary
Brendan Begley: Irish National Casting Association
Muriel Scorer: Irish Ladies Fly Fishing Association
David Browne: ITFFA Youth Section
Paddy Byrne: National Anglers Representative Association (NARA)
George Mc Cullough: European Federation of Sea Anglers (EFSA)
Ian Rowand: Irish Trout Fly Fishing Association (ITFFA)
Jack Spratt: Irish Disabled Fly Fishing Association
Daragh Whelan Carp Club of Ireland

Below is an activity reprot for 2007. You can download the Annual Report and Financial Statements here.

Chairman’s Address

As Chairman, I am pleased to introduce the fourth Annual Report of Recreational Angling Ireland ( RAI ) for the year 2007.

With continued support from the Sports Council and the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards, we have continued to carry out our remit to harness the voluntary organisations to promote many aspects of angling for both youth and adults on the island of Ireland.

RAI believes that it has spent the monies received from its sponsors wisely, as can be seen from the audited accounts presented as part of this report.

The priority for 2007 was to continue to hold training days for youths and adults in all the angling disciplines. The programme was a great success, as judged by all who took part, with our approved instructors playing a vital role at each venue. We continued to operate from the premises of the Central Fisheries Board in Swords and we are most grateful for this accommodation. Mr. David Brown continued his excellent work as our Project Manager to facilitate the smooth running of the training programme.

The Board of RAI are confident that the Water Framework Directive has the potential to ensure that the quality of water in our rivers, lakes and estuaries will be maintained and improved to meet the targets set out in the Directive. RAI has encouraged angling clubs to familiarise themselves with the progress of this directive through contact with their local angling representative on the Advisory Committees set up under this Directive.

The RAI Handbook of Safety was completed towards the end of 2007 and disseminated to over 650 angling clubs. RAI has had a very positive feedback to this very necessary work in the interest of all angling clubs. The RAI Handbook of Angling Club Organisation continues to be in demand by angling clubs all over Ireland. Both of these handbooks are on our website.

The Directors of RAI are progressing work on the development of coaching skills for RAI instructors so that their work of training beginner anglers is enhanced by having a qualification .

I would like to thank my fellow directors for their significant input into our various activities during the year. In particular, I would also like to thank all our friends in the Angling Community who have continued to pledge their support for RAI.

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Peter Wilson, Chairman.

STATEMENT BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE IRISH SPORTS COUNCIL AND THE CENTRAL FISHERIES BOARD

The Irish Sports Council (ISC) and the Central Fisheries Board (CFB) are delighted to see that Recreational Angling Ireland (RAI) have completed another successful year in 2007 which has seen RAI build on its early successes in 2005 and 2006 particularly with the hosting of youth angling events at thirteen locations throughout the country involving five hundred and seventy six young people. Encouraging our young people to participate in sport, such as angling, is a core goal of both the ISC and the CFB.

A highlight of 2007 was the production and wide circulation by RAI of a safety handbook for angling clubs entitled ‘Guidelines for Angling Club Safety Statement‘. This manual was developed by Peter Wilson and fellow Directors with input from many within the sector. It was well received by the Regional Fisheries Boards who, in tandem with the Department of the Marine had earlier indicated the need for and assistance to clubs in this matter.

It is encouraging to see the timeliness with which RAI address their corporate responsibilities with the inclusion of their audited accounts in their annual report.
It is clear that the investment of funding from the Irish Sports Council and the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards provides excellent value for money
Finally, we would like to congratulate the Chairman of RAI, Mr. Peter Wilson, and his fellow directors on their great achievements in 2007 and wish them every success in 2008 and beyond.

PROGRESS OF RAI

Since its foundation four years ago, RAI has achieved major growth in the service of all angling interests throughout the island of Ireland.

RAI is a not-for-profit voluntary organisation, constituted as a Company Limited by Guarantee, Registered in Ireland, Number 379043.

The Board is composed of Directors representative of member organisations with an independent Chairman and Company Secretary.

RAI in correspondence with the Revenue Commissioners has established RAI status as a body to be recognised as a Limited Company which qualifies for games and sporting exemption from tax.

RAI has, as one of its principal aims, the support and encouragement of young people to take up angling. This fits in very well with the Government’s policy for sports for children and for programmes to development physical fitness and to counter obesity in our citizens.

Over the last five years, RAI has sponsored a series of one day angling sessions led by experts to teach young anglers the importance of good waterside manners, health and safety. The beginners also receive instruction in specific types of angling appropriate for each location including coarse, game and sea. The events were a great success and resulted in many new young recruits for the local angling clubs.

During 2007 RAI ran eighteen youth events throughout the country with a total attendance of 576 learner anglers.

The Irish Sports Council is concerned with promoting increased participation in sport by all and with the development of excellence in sport. One of the aims of the Central Fisheries Board is to make angling more attractive and accessible to our young people. They share these objectives with RAI and are happy to support them in this exciting work.

RAI has consistently extended an invitation to all angling representative bodies to join them in this vital activity. The production of Annual Reports including audited accounts for each year since inception meets the company’s Corporate Governance requirements. The organisation continues to have the support of thousands of anglers throughout the Island of Ireland. RAI has the full backing of the Department of the Marine, the Irish Sports Council and the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards.

RAI acknowledges the generosity of the CFB which allows us to enjoy fully equipped state-of-the-art office accommodation at Swords Business Campus.

It remains the policy of RAI to involve all angling representative organisations and we maintain regular communications with as many organisations and individuals as possible through mailshots, emails and publications.

Business Plan

The Board of Directors, building on the success of 2007, have completed work on the Business Plan for 2008. This includes the development and promotion of youth angling, the holding of youth and adult angling educational courses at venues throughout Ireland and the dissemination of information on angling, Various other initiatives include the holding of coach training sessions and the publication of a regular RAI Newsletter. It is emphasised that these services are being provided for the benefit of all anglers.

FINANCE

The audited accounts for 2007 are appended.

The Budget for 2007 was drawn up in line with the Business Plan. The Sports Council and the CFB honoured the arrangements to make grant-aid, as in previous years, available. Three of the seven Regional Fisheries Boards contributed as in previous years. Regrettably the other four whose support RAI had anticipated did not. This money was available to RAI from mid-year onwards and was used to fund the various RAI projects including administration, training and communications.

SECRETARIAT

The Central Fisheries Board kindly continue to provide office accommodation for use by RAI in Swords Business Campus, Ballheary Road, Swords, Co. Dublin.

RAI is deeply grateful to the Chief Officer and Directors of the Central Fisheries Board for providing fully equipped state-of-the-art office accommodation including facilities for meetings of Directors and Sub-committees. These facilities will enable RAI to progress an accelerating work programme in 2008.

MEMBERSHIP

So far, eight of the more important national angling representative bodies constitute the Board of Directors. These bodies are dedicated to the wellbeing and success of RAI and are working solidly and constructively to ensure our success. The benefits accruing are mutual, with the individual bodies gaining from the work of RAI, and RAI being strengthened and motivated by the collective experience and expertise of the constituent bodies. Their co-operative efforts are geared towards improving the Irish angling scene and moving it forward.
RAI verified another national angling representative body for membership.

RAI is available for discussions with any national angling organisation interested in joining. The business of RAI is regularly communicated to all anglers and all clubs.

YOUTH ANGLING EDUCATION PROGRAMME

The priority project of RAI in 2007 was on the development and promotion of Youth Angling. Eighteen training days were hosted and in additioin the Irish Trout Fly Fishing Association Youth Team competed in the Youth International fished on the Lake of Menteith in Scotland. They came a very credible second. In accordance with its stated goals RAI agreed that a €3000 grant to the group was acceptable as part of a youth training programme.

RAI ANGLING TUITION REPORT 2007

Director David Browne, the RAI Project Manager for Youth Events, reports as follows:.
“Five hundred and seventy six aspiring anglers attended Recreational Angling Ireland's Training Programme during 2007. The Programme was aimed at individual beginners in the sport of Angling. Disabled persons were accommodated and encouraged. Eighteen Training Days were hosted and funded by RAI with all events 'free of charge' to participants. The Training Days took place in eleven counties throughout the length and breadth of the island of Ireland, from Fermanagh to Cork and Galway to Meath. Instruction was given at coastal and inland venues and covered Coarse, Sea, Game, Pike and Carp fishing. The vast majority of participating anglers caught fish with all showing great enthusiasm and some indeed great aptitude.

Emphasis was put on Safety near water and information on Life Jackets. Each participant received a copy of 'Safety on the Water - Angling Safety Guidelines' to take home.

The Programme included topics such as the importance of Ireland as an Angling venue, the Country Code, pollution, poaching and' Catch and Release'. The finite nature of our Angling Asset was stressed and the responsibility of each angler to protect our priceless natural resource.

Relative information on each location was given and anglers were made aware of local fish species, their permitted fishing season and Rules concerning their capture. 'Catch and Release' was encouraged. The prevention of the spread of invasive species to inland waters was also highlighted.

At each venue, Training and Demonstration was given by an RAI approved Instructor. RAI has now over one hundred and thirty approved Instructors covering all types of Angling. Instruction, appropriate to each area, included practical demonstration on knots, tackle set up and costs, and casting demonstrations. Appropriate literature was given to take home. Following general demonstrations and within the limits of available manpower, one to one practical fishing tuition was given.

At the conclusion of each session each angler received a signed Certificate and an RAI cap. All participant names were drawn from the hat for rods, reels or a 'Goodie Bag' to bring home. Information on the local Fisheries Board, National Angling Organisations and joining/forming a local club was available. Our RAI publication 'Handbook of Angling Club Organisation', covering all aspects of setting up and managing a Club was available, free of charge.

Encouraged by the response of participants, RAI intend to widen theTraining Programme to cover Intermediate and ultimately Advanced Levels. The only limit is funding. All counties and angling methods are to be targeted. Our Programme for 2008 will be confirmed in January and posted on our Website. It is hoped that, in time, to-day’s Trainees will ultimately become future qualified Instructors for RAI.

In pursuance of 'Excellence in Sport', RAI also subscribed to the Training Costs of the Irish Trout Fly Fishing Association Youth Team. The Team competed in the Youth International fished on the Lake of Menteith in Scotland. They came a very credible second behind Scotland, who had home advantage. The Team were most appreciative of the funding received from RAI. Next year the Youth International will be fished on L. Conn with two hundred world class angling visitors attending.

Training and Development

GUIDELINES FOR ANGLING CLUB SAFETY STATEMENT

RAI continues to have feedback from our constituent organisations confirming that there is a real need to assist member organisations and clubs with their day to day business of administration and management.
Towards the end of 2007 RAI completed the production and wide circulation, to 800+ recipients, of a safety handbook for angling clubs entitled ‘Guidelines for Angling Club Safety Statement‘. This manual was developed by Peter Wilson and fellow Directors with input from many within the sector. It was well received by the Regional Fisheries Boards who, in tandem with the Department of the Marine had earlier indicated the need for and assistance to clubs in this matter.

HANDBOOK OF ANGLING CLUB ORGANISATION

RAI continues to have requests for information on club items of business including administration, management, legal affairs etc. Our responses to them has been facilitated by the publication last year of the comprehensive ‘Handbook of Angling Club Organisation’.

The purpose of these handbooks is to guide angling clubs towards better management, improved communications, safety statements, proper regulation and transparent financial accounts.
It would be our long term aspiration to run a number of workshops and symposia throughout the provinces and all angling clubs would be invited to participate.

Free copies of these RAI handbooks are available by contacting Paddy Byrne at 0872906866 or alternatively, one can download a copy in PDF format from the RAI website: www.recreationalanglingireland.com

EU WATER FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE

One of the goals of RAI is to provide technical advice to all anglers on relevant issues.

The implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Regulations which apply to Ireland Under the WFD have exercised RAI over a number of years. Management Groups and River Basin District Advisory Groups were put together during 2005 and these have been very active during 2006 and 2007 .

RAI maintains useful contact with all seven WFD River Basin Districts throughout Ireland with a view to advising anglers as to involvement in the angling pillar of their River Basin District Advisory Committees. Appointments of angler representatives were made to the advisory groups during 2006.

The groups have attended regular meetings in each River Basin District and annual symposia in 2006,and 2007. We hope to disseminate the report of proceedings of these events to angling interests in the coming year.

Communications & Public Relations

Website

The RAI website continues to be a useful communications/PR asset. We are fortunate to enjoy the services of a professional webmaster who designed the website and who updates it on a regular basis. As well as mainstream information documents, the last Annual Report, The Guidelines for Angling Club Safety Statement and the Handbook of Angling Club Organisation are posted on the Web.
We invite anyone interested to visit RAI at www.recreationalanglingireland.com. Our email is info@recreationalanglingireland.com.

Database

RAI is continuing to put together a database of angling clubs and interested parties, with upwards of seven hundred entries so far. Contact with angling clubs of all disciplines throughout the island of Ireland was achieved by post, e.mail and telephone.

Regional Fisheries Boards

RAI maintains contact with the NFME (National Fisheries Management Executive), which is made up of the CEOs of the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards. We have had an input into the Central/Regional Fisheries Boards Liaison Group. Important issues were discussed including: Private Water Keepers (Section 294); management advice for fishing clubs; angling clubs as carers for the habitat; small streams conservation; youth angling initiatives.

RAI is very heartened by the encouragement, assistance and support of the Fisheries Boards in pursuit of our common goal to develop excellence in angling.

Media Coverage

RAI has got generous publicity for all events through contact with our friends in the media. The Central Fisheries Board has been most helpful to us in opening up avenues of communication with the media. We thank them sincerely for their cover.

Download the financial statements etc.