The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority’s (SFPA) says it has initiated its annual inshore fisheries patrol programme to help protect Ireland’s valuable shellfish and crustacean fisheries including crab, lobster, crayfish, and whelk.
The SFPA says its campaign will focus on unlicensed and unregistered fishing vessels along the south and west coasts, and will also monitor compliance by members of the public to ensure their fishing activities are within limits for lobster and crab fishing.
“The SFPA is advising that anyone found to be non-compliant with sea-fisheries or seafood safety regulations can expect to face prosecution,” it says.
“ Regulations are in place for all commercial and casual/recreational fishers, regarding the minimum size that can be caught to ensure shellfish and crustacean species such as lobster and crab can reach maturity and reproduce to safeguard the future of stocks,”it says.
The SFPA’s inshore patrols will operate throughout the summer into autumn with the support of the Naval Service, Air Corps, and Inland Fisheries Ireland.
Last year SFPA rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) completed 39 inshore patrols around the coastline as part of a nationwide inshore fisheries patrol programme.
It says a total of 150 registered fishing vessels and numerous storage boxes were inspected resulting in:
Non-compliances detected included the retention of undersize and v-notched* lobster in storage boxes, which the SFPA seized and released.
Several vessels fishing with expired licences were also observed and instructed to cease fishing and investigations continued into the activity of these vessels.
Inspections were also undertaken on recreational vessels to ensure compliance with the relevant legislation.
Further administrative checks were undertaken on commercial vessels inspected to check that accurate sales records were maintained to ensure traceability of product.
This year, the SPFA says it will deploy its 7.5 metre RIBs with the capacity to winch lift and inspect lobster pots and keeps (used for holding live crustaceans prior to sale) to facilitate detailed inspections.
“The inshore monitoring programme also includes vehicle patrols to small local ports and landing places so sea-fisheries protection officers can identify and monitor unlicensed and unregistered vessels which may be deployed during the summer months,” it says.
“Illegal fishing is unfair to the majority of inshore fishermen who fish sustainably and within regulations, as it jeopardises the future of this valuable industry,” SFPA executive chairperson Paschal Hayes said.
“The SFPA, along with our control partners, the Naval Service and the Air Corps, is committed to creating a level playing field. Our targeted inshore compliance strategy aims to support the sustainable management of these fisheries and will help to safeguard their future for the benefit of consumers, producers and, importantly, our coastal communities,” he said.
