The Fisheries Boards, established under the Fisheries Act, 1980, have statutory responsibility for the management, conservation, protection, development and promotion of inland fisheries and sea angling resources. The statutory powers of the Boards under the Act, extend in the sea to the twelve mile limit.

The freshwater lakes comprise approximately, 357,000 acres, roughly equivalent to one fiftieth of the States total area, and there are about 8,600 miles of main channel rivers. Inland surface waters comprise a much higher percentage of total area In Ireland than in many European countries, including England, Scotland and Wales.

The inland fisheries are a valuable natural resource and they have a capacity to improve the quality of life and contribute to our economic well being when exploited in a rational manner. It is totally native and self renewing resource, with no import content necessarily involved in its exploitation and utilisation.

The main components of the resource are the salmon, sea trout, brown trout, coarse fisheries and sea angling. Ireland has an abundance of these fisheries containing high quality fish stocks. This resource is unique in Western Europe whose large angling populations have access to few, if any, high quality natural fisheries.

A well managed and rationally exploited inland fisheries resource will generate significant revenue and employment and give an excellent return on state investment.

The Board's policy objectives are as follows:

(a) To manage and develop inland fisheries to their full potential and to ensure their exploitation in a rational manner so as to produce the best return to the economy in terms of net output and employment.

(b) To ensure the conservation and protection of fish stocks and their environment.

(c) To optimise the amenity, recreational and environmental value of the resource.