UCD Adult Education Centre

Lárionad an Oideachais Aosaigh

ENVIRONMENT

A Focus On Ireland's Sport Fish

TERM 3: FOCUS ON HN356

Monday

Ken Whelan

Ireland enjoys a great abundance of sport fish ranging from the marauding Porbeagle shark to the ubiquitous and much loved brown trout. This course will describe in detail the natural history of these unique species and their importance as a much sought after recreational resource and biological indicators of our ever changing aquatic environment. The lecture series will chart the changes in our sport fish fauna resulting from climate change and describe the biology of new species such as gilt head bream, golden grey mullet and trigger fish. Students will become familiar with a wide range of freshwater and marine species and learn of current and future management challenges. The series will be of interest to all of those with an interest in the natural history, management and continuing welfare of Ireland’s unique sport fish fauna. The course will comprise six illustrated talks with ample time for interactive discussion on the topics covered.

BELFIELD

6 Mondays

April 15, 22, 29, May 13, 20, 27

(No Class May 6)

7.30pm - 9.30pm

FEE: 115

Print Open Learning Application Form 2012.13 or ring (01) 716-7123 for Laser/credit card payment

Tutor Bio

Professor Ken Whelan works as an environmental and fisheries consultant - http://www.kenwhelan.info/. He is also an Adjunct Professor in UCD’s School of Biology and Environmental Science. Ken was until recently Chairman of the Biodiversity Forum but is best known for his work on the Atlantic salmon. Ken is involved with a major science programme examining why salmon are dying at sea – www.salmonatsea.com. He has also produced, presented and scripted many films and videos on various aspects of Irish fisheries and angling. He is a regular radio contributor to the Mooney Goes Wild programme.

Provisional list of key topics to be covered

Part 1:

The Sport Fish Resource
Ireland’s sport fish families
Glacial history -where our sport fish came from?
An introduction to the freshwater environment
The importance of geology and topography
An introduction to the marine environment

Part 2:

The Salmonids – Trout, Salmon and Charr
An introduction to the ecology of the salmonids
Life history of the salmonid families
Managing stocks for sport
Conflicts and resolution

Part 3:

Pike, Perch and the Cyprinids
An introduction to the ecology of Ireland’s “coarse” fish species
Life history of the “coarse” fish families
Managing stocks for sport
Conflicts and resolution

Part 4: Marine Sport Fish (1) – the Bony Fish (e.g. Bass, Pollock, Mackerel)

An introduction to the ecology of Ireland’s bony marine fish
Life history of the bony fish families
Managing stocks for sport
Conflicts and resolution

Part 4: Marine Sport fish (1) – the Cartilaginous Fish (Shark, Skate and Rays)

An introduction to the ecology of Ireland’s cartilaginous species
Life history of the cartilaginous fish families
Managing stocks for sport
Conflicts and resolution

Part 5: Managing Ireland’s Sport Fish

An introduction to the science of fisheries management
Managing stocks for sport
Tools and techniques for enhancing catch
The role of socio economics
Making the right management choices
The benefits and limitations of scientific advice

Part 6: Threats and Opportunities

Pollution and degradation of habitat
European Directives and their importance in preserving stocks
Managing pollution sources in rivers, lakes and in the marine environment
The national water resource and its wise use
Changing Climate / Evolving Species
Making the most of climate change

Who is the course for?

The course is suitable for anybody who has an interest in sport fish or the aquatic environment and wishes to learn more about the many fascinating species of sport fish which inhabit our lakes rivers and seas. No previous technical knowledge is required.

Reading List:

The following is a selection of recommended texts for those interested in reading further around the course content. We advise that you do not buy books in advance of the course as your tutor will discuss the list and suggest the most relevant reading for particular interests.

Text book (..currently out of print but copies may be available in local libraries - not essential but useful if available)

Ken Whelan (1989): The Angler in Ireland: Game, Coarse and Sea. Country House, Dublin. 408pp

Subsequently printed as three separate paperbacks (1991): The Game Angler in Ireland, The Coarse Angler in Ireland and The Sea Angler in Ireland

Useful websites:

Inland Fisheries Ireland: www.fisheriesireland.ie

Environmental Protection Agency: www.epa.ie

Marine Institute: www.marine.ie

Environment Agency (UK): http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/

National Marine Fisheries Service: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/

Atlantic Salmon Trust: http://www.atlanticsalmontrust.org/

Wild Trout Trust: www.wildtrout.org