About FishHebrides

Contact details

Website management
Donnie Maciver, franchise manager, c/o The Outer Hebrides Fisheries Trust
Tel/Fax: 01851 703434
Email: donnie@ohft.org.uk

Booking
Tel: 01573 470612 Fax: 01573 470259
Email: info@fishpal.com
Web: see current availability

Weekly reports & prospects
Donnie Maciver, franchise manager
Tel: 01851 703434
Email: donnie@ohft.org.uk

What is FishHebrides?

FishHebrides is a web-based marketing service provided by The Outer Hebrides Fisheries Trust (OHFT), formerly The Western Isles Fisheries Trust (WIFT). OHFT's mission statement is:

The Outer Hebrides Fisheries Trust is a community-based charity that represents a wide variety of interests for the common good of our local wild fish and their habitats.

We are committed to researching the ecology of the local wild fisheries and providing informed guidelines on their management and sustainable exploitation. We also undertake to develop the educational and economic aspects of the wild fishery.

Through the use of objective scientific knowledge we will contribute to any debate on issues, events and circumstances which impact on the wild fish population.

Background

The new FishHebrides website was launched in November 2004 by the Western Isles Fisheries Trust (WIFT), in conjunction the Western Isles Tourist Board (WITB) and FishPal (then FishBritain). With the assistance of OHFT, FishPal developed the current web-based service that promotes angling opportunities, arrange bookings and provide additional information and services to anglers, fisheries and local service providers to enhance the overall Outer Hebrides freshwater fishing experience. At the beginning of 2004 OHFT acquired the management responsibilities of FishHebrides.com from Western Isles Tourist Board (WITB).

OHFT now manages the franchise with technical services and support provided by FishPal. All proprietors/managers of freshwater fisheries, including angling clubs, within the Outer Hebrides catchments are eligible to subscribe to FishHebrides. FishHebrides operating expenses are at present covered by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Western Isles Enterprise. Once funding expires then annual fixed subscriptions from fisheries, advertising revenues and commission charges on the successful letting of fishing will cover expenses. Anglers pay no charges for the use of FishHebrides other than for any goods or services purchased through the website. It is hoped that FishHebrides will become the one-stop-shopping site for anglers from within and outwith the islands.

FishHebrides Benefits

In the past information has been hard to find on the abundant fisheries in the Outer Hebrides. FishHebrides now addresses these issues for both local and visiting anglers offering far greater choice than ever before. For example, anglers can now obtain details of rod availability, catches, etc online or over the telephone. It also enables anglers to have access to local suppliers for ancillary services (hotels, tackle shops, fishing instruction, car hire etc).

Fishery proprietors/managers and angling clubs (subscribers) have access to a very sophisticated internet database updated either online or by telephone. Telephone enquiries arising from interest in fishery subscribers information are handled by a call centre and subscribers have access to a computerised telephone catch reporting system, help desk and office back up. National marketing is performed by FishPal while local marketing is the responsibility of the franchisee, FishHebrides. Subscribers also benefit from training provided to Boatmen and staff.

Local service providers should benefit from increased numbers of visiting anglers by providing them with goods and services bringing more revenue to their businesses thus increasing their sustainability. FishHebrides increases awareness to the Hebrides brand and allows it to reach a world-wide audience. It makes the Outer Hebrides angling scene far more accessible and will in turn hopefully increase angling tourism to the benefit of the community at large.

All these benefits taken together are of great economic benefit to the Outer Hebrides region as it seeks to increase the sustainability of local businesses. Angling in the Outer Hebrides generates some £5.6m annually for the local economy and accounts for over 260 jobs.

Weekly reports and prospects

The franchise manager, Donnie Maciver, provides weekly reports and prospects for this website. He can be contacted on 01851 703434, on his mobile 0771 7344246 or by email at donnie@ohft.org.uk. Please keep him up to date with what is going on where you fish!