ICSA
Irish Charter Skippers Association
It is widely recognised that the Irish sea angling
charter fleet has been a major contributor to tourism in the coastal
communities and has also provided a healthy leisure pursuit for citizens of
Ireland and the International community who
visit Ireland in the pursuit of sea angling. To date the angling charter
business has received little recognition at a national level so it is our wish,
having formed the Irish Charter Skippers Association to give members a
strong national voice needed to address issues of importance.
These issues are many and varied, to name but a few, surveying, licences, fish
conservation, marine safety and standards,
berthage etc.
The association hopes to address issues that
members may have in connection with the survey of their vessel to attain the
relevant licence for that vessel. We hope to work with the Department of
Transport to highlight members concerns in this area and that our association
will be recognised as a professional body of the highest standards.
The Central Fisheries Board facilitated a meeting
on March 1st 2008 under the heading "all charter skippers" . The
agenda was to sound out and seek the opinion of charter skippers in the
republic. There was a substantial attendance of skippers from all corners of Ireland
who all agreed that an Irish Charter Skippers Association should be
formed. At a subsequent meeting officers and delegates were elected. As and
from the 23rd April 2008 the Irish Charter Skippers Associations constitution
was ratified.
Membership to the Association is open to owners/skippers
whose vessel holds a valid licence as issued by the relevent government
department. Membership is also available to skippers/owners who hold a valid
commercial B passenger boat licence, or similarly qualified owner/skippers
from other activity areas once it is understood
that the function of the ICSA is in the
marine sport fishing area.
The benifits in becoming a member of the ICSA are vast to name but a few, a STRONG UNIFIED VOICE, cheaper insurance,
keen rates for the hire liferafts etc.
In conclusion I would ask all angling charter
skippers to join the ICSA as we intend to further the interests of and
provide a national forum for charter skippers involved in sea angling
charter business in the Republic of Ireland.
Donal Kennedy
Chairman ICSA
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