The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has confirmed that catch certification services resumed normally on Thursday morning following Wednesday's industrial action, with no disruption to Irish seafood exports and no backlog of applications.
Irish seafood exports were unaffected by Wednesday's 24-hour industrial action at the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA), according to confirmation received by Afloat from the fisheries regulator.
The SFPA said catch certification services resumed as normal on Thursday morning, 15 October, following the stoppage on Wednesday, 14 October.
In response to an Afloat enquiry, the authority confirmed that advance arrangements had enabled seafood exporters to avoid disruption.
"Catch certification for exports of Irish produce resumed as normal this morning. No export activities were impacted," the SFPA said.
Advance Notice to Seafood Exporters
The SFPA had issued an industry notice ahead of the industrial action, warning that catch certificates would not be issued during Wednesday's stoppage.
Fishing vessel operators planning landings in non-EU countries had been advised to consider alternative EU ports, while seafood businesses requiring export catch certificates were encouraged to submit applications in advance.
The authority confirmed that industry operators had been advised to submit applications before 14 October where export catch certificates would be required.
No Catch Certificate Backlog
The SFPA said no applications were submitted through the CATCH system during Wednesday's industrial action.
"As no catch certificate applications were submitted via the CATCH system on Wednesday 14th October, there is currently no backlog of applications," the authority confirmed.
The regulator's statement means that, despite the temporary suspension of catch certification, it has reported no interruption to Irish seafood export activities.
Fisheries Services Resume Following Stoppage
The industrial action had prompted concerns about the potential impact on fishing vessels and seafood businesses requiring certification for trade with countries outside the European Union.
The SFPA's original contingency arrangements also provided for electronic reporting enquiries, third-country landing authorisations, seafood import clearance and emergency seafood safety matters.
The authority has now confirmed that catch certification for Irish produce returned to normal on Thursday morning.
The latest stoppage was separate from industrial action involving SFPA staff reported in 2022.
