Something Fishy

"Something Fishy" in Leitrim Waters:

Inland Fisheries Ireland in conjunction with the Blackrock Education Centre and Carrick on Shannon Education Centre is running a National Fisheries Education Programme called 'Something Fishy' for primary school children. The education resource is aimed at fifth and sixth classes and comprises of 9 double-sided activity cards for pupils, which explore different aspects of fish life, e.g. water cycle, fish, the life cycle of a salmon, fish stocks, angling, conservation of our rivers and lakes, and fish as part of the food chain.

Hailed as an instant success it has mushroomed since its inception in 2000. In the school year 2009/2010 Ailish Keane, Environmental Officer with Inland Fisheries Ireland visited 11 schools in Co. Leitrim with over 850 children taking part. At each school visit an educational awareness talk was given to the older children while also answering any questions that they had to ask. Ailish took time to explain to the children the different species of fish that they would find in their local rivers and streams if they go fishing, and also how important clean water is to fish. The school visit also allowed the children to gain an invaluable hands-on experience of collecting and identifying freshwater fish and invertebrates as staff of IFI brought in live specimens of fish and also the macro invertebrates that they feed on. Ailish said "Everyone enjoyed handling the fish and eels and discovering the variety of insects that these delicate species depend on".

As part of this exciting learning experience each school was asked to produce a project incorporating the visit to the class and some very interesting and educational projects were submitted, particularly from Rossan N.S, Aughawillan N.S. and Drumnamore N.S, with the overall winners being Rossan N.S.

The 'Something Fishy' Programme is continuing for the 2010/2011 school year and Ailish foresees an even greater interest in next year's competition. The information pack is available in Irish and English and is also supported with an interactive website, www.somethingfishy.ie. The website consists of interactive games, quizzes and activities that refer to the information in the pack. The website reinforces the lessons learnt in class and educates children about the importance of the environment, fish species in Ireland and how we can work together to ensure conservation of fish and fishing in Ireland.