Sea Fisheries Protection Authority News
The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) is reminding all shellfish harvesters operating in Ireland of their legal obligation to be registered as food business operators. Registration is a legal requirement under Article 6(2) of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs. …
Almost 500 fishing and aquaculture vessel owners have applied for the Government’s fuel support scheme, which has been sanctioned by the EU. The €15 million State aid scheme to support fishing and aquaculture companies facing increased fuel prices due to the…
A Kinsale skipper has been fined a total of €725 after pleading guilty to charges relating to retention of below minimum legal size lobster. The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) says the skipper, who appeared before Bandon District Court on…
The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) says it is continuing its inshore fisheries patrol programme with a number of patrols in the north-west. The patrol programme is a key part of conservation measures to help protect Ireland’s valuable shellfish and crustacean…
Analysis by Tom MacSweeney Rebuilding trust is difficult to do, but that is at the core of the detailed report by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Fisheries and Marine Affairs into the operation of Ireland’s sea fisheries protection system. Can…
Ombudsman To Oversee Fisheries Protection Called for In Oireachtas Committee Report
26th May 2026 SFPA
An Oireachtas committee has called for an Ombudsman to be appointed to consider complaints and to interrogate the effectiveness of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA). It also calls for an “immediate assessment” to be conducted at the various fishery…
The master of a French registered fishing vessel has been convicted and fined for offences arising from an inspection in Castletownbere, Co Cork last year. Bernard Helgouarch, with an address in France, and master of the French registered sea-fishing vessel…
A report on the State’s Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) is due to be published by the Joint Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs on Tuesday, May 26th. The joint committee chair, Sinn Féin TD Conor McGuinness, and party colleague…
Irishman Michael Finn has been elected deputy chair of the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) administrative board. The new EFCA chair is Kestutis Sadauskas, who is European Commission Deputy Director General in DG MARE. EFCA Leadership Changes Mr Finn has…
The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) says a fisherman has been fined for fishing for shrimp outside the authorised season. It says that Antoine Griffin, with an address in C Galway, pleaded guilty and was fined €400 at Derrynea District…
The Executive Chair of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, Paschal Hayes, has retired from his position before the end of his term. In a statement, the SFPA said Mr Hayes is stepping down after almost 45 years of service across…
There is limited inspection of large ‘factory’ fishing vessels operating off Ireland, an Oireachtas committee has heard. The issue emerged during a session of the Joint Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs examining the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA). Committee…
The Joint Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs will resume discussions today (Tuesday, April 14) on sea fisheries protection issues with representatives from the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA). Committee Cathaoirleach Conor McGuinness said: “The committee first engaged with the…
Louise Murphy has been appointed to the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) by Minister of State for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Timmy Dooley. Her appointment follows a public recruitment process conducted for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the…
The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has issued an updated information notice on the management of Norovirus for shellfish producers. Norovirus (NoV), commonly known as the “winter vomiting bug”, is a significant cause of acute gastroenteritis, often causing diarrhoea and vomiting.…
Call For "Deep, Real and Meaningful" Reform of Sea Fisheries Protection Authority
26th March 2026 SFPA
Reform of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) needs to be “deep, real and meaningful”, the Irish Fish Processors and Exporters’ Association (IFPEA) has said. IFPEA chief executive Brendan Byrne said that the Oireachtas Joint Committee on fisheries has a…
