Sea Fisheries Protection Authority News
A guide to assist fishing skippers to meet landing obligation requirements has been published by the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA). A waterproof copy of the guide has been posted to all vessel owners with an electronic logbook onboard. One guide…
IFPO Moves to Clarify Its Concerns Over Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority’s Operation and Oversight
28th November 2023 SFPA
The Irish Fish Producers Organisation (IFPO) has moved to clarify its concerns about both the operation and oversight of the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA). IFPO chief executive Aodh O Donnell says his organisation’s primary interest is to ensure that Ireland…
Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority Launches Consultation Process on Statement of Strategy 2024–2026
28th November 2023 SFPA
The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) sets out its strategic programme every three years and is currently preparing its Statement of Strategy for 2024–2026. This will focus on what the SFPA wants to achieve during this period to ensure effective regulation…
Rare Marine Species Public Sightings Appeal Issued by SFPA to Mark Science Week
14th November 2023 Marine Wildlife
Sightings of rare marine species will increase Ireland’s “scientific and biological knowledge bank”, the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has said in an appeal during Science Week. The SFPA says it is encouraging the public - and particularly those in the…
An Irish parliamentary committee may summon the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) before it to explain its weighing system, reports Lorna Siggins. This follows a recent parliamentary (Oireachtas) agriculture, food and marine committee debate when Independent TD for Cork South-West…
Sea Fisheries Protection Agency (SFPA) officers recorded an 18% increase in fishing vessel inspection activity last year, the State regulator reports. A total of 1,903 fishing vessel inspections were conducted in 2022, which marked an 18% increase in inspection activity…
Almost 46,000 fishing vessel landings were recorded at Irish harbours last year by the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA). The total of 45,943 landings amounted to 267,200 tonnes, valued at €448,692,973, it says. It says that 2,080 non-Irish vessels landed…
Seafood Exporters Warned of Britain's Delay in Implementing Health Certification
6th September 2023 SFPA
Seafood exporters to Britain have been warned of a delay in implementing export health certification. The British government has confirmed that implementation of export health certification for goods, including fish and fishery products, from the EU to Britain will be…
Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) officers confiscated 48 live undersize crawfish off the southwest coast late last month. The SFPA says that the crawfish were “returned safely to sea” after the discovery during a routine patrol. It says that a…
The Marine Institute, in partnership with several Irish agencies, will be hosting the 12th Shellfish Safety Workshop at its headquarters in Rinville, County Galway, on October 17th, 2023. The workshop is open to those who work in shellfish aquaculture and…
Information on European logbook requirements for commercial fishing vessels has been published by the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA). A new fisheries information notice summarises key requirements for vessel masters and owners for vessels of ten metres overall length or…
Ten Enforcement Actions Served on Seafood Businesses by Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority
12th August 2023 SFPA
Ten enforcement actions were served on seafood businesses during the second quarter of this year, the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) says. The enforcement actions were issued by sea fisheries protection officers as a result of risk-based official controls of approved…
A guidance map for the Dundalk Bay Natura area off the Louth coast where certain types of fishing are prohibited has been published by the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA). The map delineates a specific zone within Dundalk Bay where…
Five Shellfish Production Areas Upgraded and 15 Downgraded in Annual Classification by SFPA
31st July 2023 SFPA
Five shellfish production areas have been upgraded, and 15 production areas have been downgraded in the annual classification list for commercial shellfish. The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) assessed 134 classifications in 60 production areas against strict safety requirements for human…
SFPA Publishes List of Fish Species Banned from Commercial Exploitation in Irish EEZ
27th July 2023 SFPA
A list of fish species prohibited from commercial exploitation in the Irish exclusive economic zone has been published by the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA). Protected species include all species officially protected across a range of international conventions and legislation, it…
The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has confirmed that another case involving breaches of sea fishing legislation has resulted in a conviction and fine in court. It says that Mark Fetherstonehaugh of An Rinn, Co Waterford, who is master of the…
