Sea Fisheries Protection Authority News
The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has updated its information on labelling on board freezer vessels. It says that all boxes or blocks of frozen products caught within the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) Convention Area, which includes all waters surrounding…
The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has reminded Irish fishing vessel operators of the conservation measures and legal requirements that apply to European lobster (Homarus gammarus). A minimum conservation reference size of 87mm and maximum size of 127mm carapace length…
Sea Fisheries Protection Authority Publishes Updated Information On Transport of Fishery Products
26th July 2026 SFPA
The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority has published updated documents relating to transport of fishery products. It says that an updated Transport of Fishery Products Fisheries Information Notice sets out when wild-caught fishery products may be transported before first sale without a…
Michael Finn has been appointed by Minister of State for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Timmy Dooley as acting chair of the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA). Mr Finn has been an authority member of the SFPA since October 2022, and…
The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has issued guidance on how to prevent histamine formation in certain fish, particularly in the summer months. The advice is targeted at fishermen and women, consumers and food business operators, and involves a review and…
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…
