Louth rivers among beneficiaries of £1m fisheries improvement programme

Loughs Agency has announced an investment of more than £1million in fisheries improvement works across the Foyle and Carlingford catchment areas during 2025.

This funding supported 65 projects across 15 sub-catchments, each designed to enhance fish habitats, improve water quality and deliver on the Agency’s commitments within the Fisheries and Angling Improvement Strategy.

Projects were delivered at various locations, including the Clanrye River in the Carlingford area (£39k), the Quiggery River near Omagh (£37k), the River Finn in Donegal (€60k) and the River Faughan in Derry (£57k), among many others.

A major focus of the works was the creation of riparian buffer zones, with 34.2kms established to help reduce nutrient and sediment runoff, protect riverbanks from accelerated erosion which can damage fish habitats and support biodiversity. In addition, 1.8kms of green engineering measures were installed to stabilise vulnerable river sections, while project teams planted more than 14,000 native broadleaf trees to provide shade, structure and improved habitat for fish and invertebrates.

Further instream enhancements included gravel regrading to improve spawning habitats, supported by the addition of 50 tonnes of gravel and40 tonnes of rubble mats to strengthen priority areas and promote a healthier, more resilient river system.

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Sharon McMahon, Loughs Agency CEO, said: “2025 was an excellent year for fisheries improvement across the Foyle and Carlingford catchments. With over £1 million invested across 65 projects, we are protecting vital fish habitats, supporting sustainable fish populations and strengthening the environmental and economic value these rivers bring to local communities.

“The investment reflects our commitments made in our Fisheries and Angling Improvement Strategy, which ultimately will be the catalyst for continued progress, benefiting our fish populations and the whole ecosystem, environment and angling community.”

To find out details about the fisheries improvement projects undertaken in2025, visit loughs-agency.org.