SFPA Confirms Case Over Fishing Breaches Leads to Conviction and Fine

5th July 2023

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 fishing vessel Maarten Luther, had pleaded guilty on June 13th at Wexford Circuit Court to a charge of under-recording of catch of monkfish by 1,595 kgs.

Sentencing for the case took place at Wexford Circuit Court last Friday, June 30th, where a conviction was recorded and a fine of €500 imposed, it says.

The offence was detected during an inspection by SFPA officers at Kilmore Quay, Co Wexford, in February 2020.

The conviction “underscores the seriousness of inaccurate logbook data and demonstrates the active measures taken by SFPA officers to inspect for compliance”, it said, commending its officers for their “diligence”.

Published in SFPA, Fishing

Published in SFPA

Tagged under

Sea Fisheries Protection Agency

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About the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA)

The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority was established on the 1st of January 2007. The SFPA is independent in the exercise of its functions, which are below.

The principal functions of the Authority are:

To secure efficient and effective enforcement of sea-fisheries law and food safety law

To promote compliance with & deter contraventions of sea-fisheries law and food safety law

To detect contraventions of sea-fisheries law and food safety law

To provide information to the sea-fisheries and seafood sectors on sea-fisheries law and food safety law and relevant matters within the remit of the Authority, through the Consultative Committee established under section 48 of the above Act or by any other means it considers appropriate

To advise the Minister in relation to policy on effective implementation of sea-fisheries law and food safety law

To provide assistance and information to the Minister in relation to the remit of the Authority

To collect and report data in relation to sea fisheries and food safety as required by the Minister and under Community law

To represent or assist in the representation of the State at national, Community and international fora as requested by the Minister, and

To engage in any other activities relating to the functions of the Authority as may be approved of by the Minister.

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