Inland Fisheries Ireland’s Irish Marine Recreational Angling (IMREC) Diary was launched in 2021 to help monitor recreational catches of marine species in our waters. A primary aim of the project is to collect data that will help all stakeholders to better manage, conserve and protect the fisheries resource, thereby providing benefits for recreational sea angling in Ireland and supporting those small businesses involved in the sea angling sector.
Some of the statistics gathered from the 2023 sea angling season include:
- Over 2000 fish were caught by participants in 2023.
- Across 47 different species.
- 85% release rates.
- 67% of trips resulted in fish caught.
- September had the highest CPUE (15 fish per trip) with April having the lowest (<2 fish per trip).
As the project rolls into its fourth year, we are looking for any interested anglers to sign up for the survey. Information about the project and how to sign up is available on the project’s hubpage.
Participants will be entered into a monthly draw for a tackle voucher and will also gain access to a new resources page featuring a map of shore marks around the Irish coast, with info on 500+ fishing spots. It includes details about likely fish species and GPS coordinates, and we have even included images of locations whenever possible. By toggling INFOMAR layers on or off, you can also view seabed mapping, shipwreck, and sediment information, helping you identify the best angling spots.
