Angling ‘could create equivalent of 150 jobs’

THE potential of angling to create the equivalent of 150 jobs in Waterville was yesterday highlighted by John Murphy of the Waterville Fisheries Development Group.

But, he stressed, this would not be achieved without good management of salmon and sea trout fisheries. “If angling could again generate up to €4 million a year, this would be the same as creating 150 jobs in Waterville.

“The Government’s decision to ban drift netting is a big step towards achieving this. Also of great importance is the way we handle pollution and poaching,” he added.

Mr Murphy was commenting ahead of a talk he is due to deliver at Eigse na Brideoige, a festival in south Kerry, on February 2/4, which this year celebrates the area’s rivers and lakes.

As part of a project to restore the fisheries to their former glory, the Waterville Fisheries Group have, over the past five years, cleaned and redeveloped up to 20 nursery streams, re-opened the Waterville Hatchery, introduced fishery bylaws and regularly monitored water quality.

Rod and line fishing has been important to the local economy for more than 100 years, generated enough business to help support three hotels and a large number of pubs, restaurants and shops, as well as more than 40 boatmen up to the 1960s and 1970s.

At present, according to Mr Murphy, angling generated about €1.5 million and contributed directly and indirectly to sustaining about 40 people.

The 15th annual Eigse na Brideoige will include lectures, music and poetry.