From July 1, Ireland's Central and Regional Fisheries Boards were replaced by one single authority, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). This followed the signing of the Inland Fisheries Act (Establishment Day) Order 2010 by Eamon Ryan, the state's Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.

The change is part of the overall rationalisation of Ireland's state agencies announced by the Minister for Finance in the 2009 budget. The single fisheries body means that instead of eight CEOs and fisheries boards the IFI will have just one. Dr Ciaran Byrne (left) has been appointed the CEO of the new body.

The new body has regional executive structures aligned on the basis of River Basin Districts. These are:

Eastern River Basin District; North Western River Basin District; Shannon River Basin District; South Eastern River Basin District; South Western River Basin District; Western River Basin District.

Dr Byrne said: "The replacement of the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards with Inland Fisheries Ireland is both a challenge and great opportunity for all involved. IFI now has an opportunity to take stock of exactly where we are, set new goals and develop the sort of fishery service Ireland needs for the 21st Century and beyond."

From an environmental perspective, the alignment of the regional operations of IFI with the River Basin Districts (as set out in the European Communities (Water Policy) Regulations 2003, S.I. No. 722 of 2003), represents a move consistent with developments in other environmental areas ensuring that Irish European Union obligations in terms of environmental and water quality policies are implemented. The fact that the new structures will reflect the EU Water Framework Directive approach are of benefit in enabling relevant aspects of water quality matters to be dealt with country-wide.

For more information visit www.fisheriesireland.ie