Loughs Agency

Last week, Fishery Officers from Loughs Agency seized an #illegal #net from the #RiverFoyle in which an adult female Atlantic Salmon had been captured. The salmon was a 5kg (11lbs) female fish and was carrying a significant number of eggs.
#Atlantic #Salmon are at present undergoing changes to their bodies in preparation for the breeding season. Both males and females change colour and shape in readiness for breeding. A female Atlantic Salmon of this weight could be carrying... in the region of 8000 eggs.
John McCartney, Director of Conservation and Protection at Loughs Agency, said “Loughs Agency are deeply concerned by the ongoing poaching activities on the rivers of the Foyle and Carlingford systems. Future generations of fish are being put at risk by the continued #illegal #poaching in our rivers. The loss of a fish such as this, carrying up to 8000 eggs highlights the challenges which the Agency is encountering on a daily basis. Whilst the Agency and its staff continue to work diligently to protect our rivers from the dangers of illegal poaching, we would remind the public that if they have any information relating to poaching activities to please contact the Loughs Agency where their report will be handled in the strictest confidence”.
Loughs Agency - Protecting the Fisheries of Foyle and Carlingford
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Some beautiful images and video of marine life beneath the surface of Carlingford Lough. Thanks to Joanne for sharing this with us and a big thankyou to Phil Wilkinson for the effort of capturing these images. It's great to see images that capture the biodiversity of our coastal habitats.

During the summer Loughs Agency ran the #FoyleAmbassador programme with 32 young people from the local community. This video captures their journey and fun filled summer!
This years programme was kindly supported by Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Reconciliation Fund through Co-operation Ireland.
#JohnMuirAward Inish Adventures Creggan Countrypark Foyle Search and Rescue Long Line Surf School #FoylePort

World Mental Health Day is observed on 10 October every year with the overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilising efforts in support of mental health. This year the theme is Young People and Mental Health in a Changing World.
Your mental health doesn’t always stay the same. It can change and is therefore, just as important as good physical health. We all have times when we feel down or stressed or frightened. Most of the t...ime those feelings pass but sometimes they develop into a more serious problem and that could happen to any one of us.
In an effort to support Mental Health in our workplace and our local community, Loughs Agency have decided to get involved by organising a Car Wash on World Mental Health Day, Wednesday 10th October 2018 from 10am to 4pm with donations going to AWARE, the depression charity for Northern Ireland.
Call in to Loughs Agency on Wednesaday 10th October and get your car washed and cup of tea to help raise funds for this mental health charity.
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We're hosting 'Monsters of the Deep' at Riverwatch this Halloween. Life size and life like ocean giants! The event is on Tuesday 30th and Wednesday 31st October from 10am to 4pm. Admission is free! Get your baby shark, mummy shark and daddy shark outfits ready!

The Commonwealth Angling Schools Tournament took place at Omagh Leisure Complex last month. Omagh High School, Omagh Academy, Christ The King Primary School and Newtownstewart Model Primary School attended and were partnered with an Ambassador from the Commonwealth Fly Fishing Competition teams #CFFC18 Workshops included dissection, fish identification, water safety, river invertebrates, fly tying, river systems, equipment & lures as well as fishing.
The winners of each wo...rkshop were as follows:
Dissection Winner Newtownstewart Model Primary School – Scotland
Fish Identification Winner Christ The King Primary School – Northern Ireland/Channel Islands
Water Safety Winner Omagh High School – Australia
River Invertebrate Winner Omagh Academy – South Africa
Fly Tying Winner Christ the King Primary School – New Zealand
River Systems Winner Omagh Academy – South Africa
Angling Discipline Winner Newtownstewart Model Primary School – Channel Islands
Senior Angling Winner Omagh High School – Canada
Junior Angling Winner Newtownstewart Model Primary School – Wales
Congratulations to all the pupils who took part! We hope it has inspired the pupils to consider taking up angling as a hobby.
This event was organised and supported by Loughs Agency and Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs,
Special thanks to Trout Angling Federation of Ireland and the Commonwealth competitors, NI Fire and Rescue Service, Angling NI, Omagh Anglers and Dennett Anglers for their support in delivering the workshops.
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Grab a cuppa, sit back and enjoy this video of the Commonwealth Fly Fishing Championships which took place in Northern Ireland earlier this month.
The competition was organised by the Trout Anglers Federation of Ireland and supported by Loughs Agency, DAERA Inland Fisheries and Fermanagh & Omagh District Council.
#CFFC18

There are currently 2 vacancies within the #INTERREG #SeaMonitor project for a Principal Project Officer and a Project Administrator and Finance Officer. Visit the careers section of the Loughs Agency website for details. Closing date for applications is 12th Oct 2018.

Some of Foyle catchment waters close today! As well as the River #Foyle itself, this day marks the end of a varied year on the #Finn and its tributaries, including the #Reelan. The season is ending with fishable rivers and this should compensate for an unusually dry summer.
Other rivers on the Foyle system remain open to 20th October with the #Whitewater (Carlingford area) open to 31st October.
For more information on angling, visit http://www.loughs-agency.org/fishing/
... Loughs Agency - Developing and Promoting Angling
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What lies beneath #CarlingfordLough

A warm welcome, quality fishing, outstanding landscapes and good guides make #Foyle and #Carlingford the destinations of choice for your next fishing trip to the Emerald Isle.
If you are at the #MidlandsGameFair this weekend, call into the Prince Albert Angling Village and speak with Andy or Damien on the Loughs Agency stand. Our knowledgeable and experienced staff will answer all your queries.
Loughs Agency - Developing and Promoting Angling

Loughs Agency will be attending the Midland Game and Country Fair at Weston Park this weekend to promote the #Foyle and #Carlingford areas as destinations for game, coarse and sea fishing trips.
Loughs Agency - Developing and Promoting Angling

Have you heard about this exciting proposed development along the beautiful River Foyle? What's your thoughts on it?

This autumn, Greencastle Centre will be delivering a series of evening and evening classes suited to anyone going to sea in powerboats, sailboats or kayaks.
The courses will be delivered as a series of modules as evening classes and weekend full-day sessions, based on the RYA Yachtmaster syllabus and other, specific, items.
Course costs have been subsidised by FLAG North funding.
... A great opportunity to improve your sea skills.
Loughs Agency - Developing Marine Tourism
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Announcing the winners of the Commonwealth Angling Schools Tournament which took place on Friday at Omagh Leisure Complex. Each school group was partnered with an Ambassador from the Commonwealth Fly Fishing Championship Teams and rotated around a variety of hands-on workhops.
Dissection Winner Newtownstewart Model Primary School – Scotland
... Fish Identification Winner Christ The King Primary School – Northern Ireland/Channel Islands
Water Safety Winner Omagh High School – Australia
River Invertebrate Winner Omagh Academy – South Africa
Fly Tying Winner Christ the King Primary School – New Zealand
River Systems Winner Omagh Academy – South Africa
Angling Discipline Winner Newtownstewart Model Primary School – Channel Islands
Senior Angling Winner Omagh High School – Canada
Junior Angling Winner Newtownstewart Model Primary School – Wales
Congratulations to all the pupils who took part! We hope it has inspired the pupils to consider taking up angling as a hobby.
Loughs Agency - Developing and Promoting Angling
#CFFC18
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On Sunday the #FoyleAmbassadors continued the great work they started this summer by carrying out a litter pick along the Greencastle to Moville coastal path with the help of Celebrate Water. A conservative estimate is that they collected at least 3 wheelie bins worth of bottles, tin cans and lots of single use plastics.
Loughs Agency - Environmental Community Engagement
#johnmuir

As part of the Foyle Maritime Festival, Loughs Agency along with Derry City and Strabane Council, supported the voyages of 5 young people from Belfast Lough to Lough Foyle on the Brian Boru. On Friday, the participants were presented with their certificates from Sail Training Ireland. We caught up with the young sailors before and after their trip to hear how it all went.
Loughs Agency - Developing Marine Tourism

2018 Commonwealth Fly Fishing Championships Team results have been published by TAFI. Well done Northern Ireland!
The TAFI International Organiser and Northern Ireland Team Captain, Alan McDade said, “A year of dedicated practice, great team spirit and determination to win, got us our first ever Commonwealth Gold medal in this competition. Northern Ireland should be proud of this team.”
Loughs Agency were delighted to support this event through habitat and access improvemen...ts on the official competition waters - #Dennett, #Quiggery and #Loughmacrory as well as providing assistance with transporting competitors to the official venues, #biosecurity, conference symposium, school engagement and promotion of the championships.
Loughs Agency - Developing and Promoting Angling
#CFFC18
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Results of the Commonwealth Fly Fishing Championships have been posted by the Trout Federation of Ireland. Click the link below for the individual results.
#CFFC18

I had a fantastic time sailing on the Foyle today can't describe the feeling but if you get a chance to try sailing go for it. I would like to thank Sailability and Inish Adventures for taking out in their boats today. I wish I took my phone to take some pictures but was worried about getting wet. But stayed dry and didn't need a change of clothes lol. The adrenalin going through you when the wind is up and gliding along the Foyle was fantastic. I think I'll book my self some lessons lol.

I had a fantastic time sailing on the Foyle today can't describe the feeling but if you get a chance to try sailing go for it. I would like to thank Sailability and Inish Adventures for taking out in their boats today. I wish I took my phone to take some pictures but was worried about getting wet. But stayed dry and didn't need a change of clothes lol. The adrenalin going through you when the wind is up and gliding along the Foyle was fantastic. I think I'll book my self some lessons lol.