To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs what steps his Department is taking to promote inland fishing opportunities as part of Northern Ireland’s tourist product.

The COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions have had a significant negative impact on my Department’s ability to promote angling as part of Northern Ireland’s tourist product. Prior to the pandemic, my Department worked closely with the Loughs Agency and Inland Fisheries Ireland to promote angling across the island of Ireland by attending game fairs and angling trade shows across the British Isles, Europe and North America. COVID-19 restrictions resulted in such events being cancelled or postponed over the last two years and these are only now beginning to return to normal all be it on a more limited basis. It will also take time for my Department to ramp up promotional activities and my officials will work with partner organisations to identify the most beneficial events to attend.

DAERA Inland Fisheries staff attended the North West Angling Show earlier this year and are attending the Shanes Castle Game Fair later this month.

My Department has recently commissioned a number of professionally produced angling videos and these have been made available on relevant websites and social media platforms to promote angling across Northern Ireland. The videos have received significant numbers of views and are an alternative method of promoting the sport here amongst previously less accessible demographics.