Fisherman Fined €500 After Pleading Guilty To Offence

20th January 2026

Afloat.ie Team

A file image of an SFPA rigid inflatable boat on patrol. The image is used for illustrative purposes in reporting on fisheries enforcement and compliance actions Credit: SFPA

A fisherman has been fined €500 after pleading guilty to taking charge of a sea fishing vessel while not on the Irish fishing masters’ register.

The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) says that Paul Jarleth Ferry, master of UK-Northern Ireland registered fishing vessel “Alannah Riley” pleaded guilty at An Clochán Liath District Court, Dungloe, Co Donegal on January 13th last to the offence.

The offence was detected during an inspection by SFPA officers at Castletownbere port in April 2025.

The Court proceeded to impose a fine of €500, the SFPA says.

The SFPA said it noted the decision of the court.

“The requirement for all Irish citizen fishing masters to be registered in the Irish Fishing Masters Register (IFMR) came into effect in 2022,” the SFPA said.

“ This case highlights the importance of registration on the IFMR to ensure compliance with masters’ legal obligations,” it said.

“Information on the registration process can be found on the website of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The SFPA commends the officer involved in this inspection,” it added.

Published in SFPA, Fishing

Published in SFPA

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Fishing

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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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