A Co Waterford skipper has been fined after pleading guilty to electronic fishing logbook offences.
The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) said that Richard Power, with an address in Co Waterford, pleaded guilty at Waterford District Court on 2 November 2026 to three charges: failing to submit electronic fishing logbook data daily, failing to submit an electronic logbook, and failing to provide the SFPA with four hours’ advance notice of landing in his capacity as fishing master of the Girl Geraldine.
The charges related to 30 incidents over seven fishing trips between January and April 2024.
Evidence was given that the non-compliances were detected during a retrospective desktop analysis of the electronic fishing records of the vessel, which is based in Dunmore East, Co Waterford.
The court heard evidence from an SFPA officer that the four-hour prior notification of landing related to fish species covered by multiannual plans, which require additional inspections to support stock recovery measures.
Evidence was also given that the requirement to record fishing activity daily on the electronic reporting system is a conservation measure for fish stock assessment. The court was told that mistakes in recording data directly affect quota management, stock assessments and the availability of fish within a fishing area.
The court fined Mr Power a total of €1,000. The court commented on the importance of proper logbooks and the requirement to provide notice to the SFPA to carry out inspections, as “maintenance of stocks of various species is important”.
An SFPA spokesperson said that “accurate data, and the ability of authorities to undertake inspection measures, are key to supporting sustainable fishing opportunities for the future”.
“We commend the officers involved in this investigation.”
Source: SFPA statement, 5 November 2026.
