The Department of Transport has re-published an amended Marine Notice reminding commercial and recreational pot fishers to use suitable marker buoys and correctly sized ropes to reduce the risk of vessels becoming entangled in fishing gear.
Marine Notice No. 31 of 2023, Advice re Use of Appropriate Marker Buoys/Ropes when Engaged in Pot Fishing for Lobster, Crab or other Fish or Shellfish, was re-issued on Thursday, 23 July 2026.
The notice is aimed at shipowners, fishing vessel owners, skippers, fishers, yachtsmen and all other seafarers. It highlights the continuing danger posed when excessively long buoy lines float at or just below the surface, where they can foul propellers even when vessels give marker buoys a wide berth.
The Department also reminds pot fishers not to use unsuitable floating markers such as plastic bottles, drink cans or dark-coloured floats, which can be difficult for other water users to see or may be mistaken for marine debris.
The notice applies to both commercial and non-commercial pot fishing. Recreational fishers are reminded that regulations limit them to a maximum of six lobster or crab pots per boat and restrict such fishing to the period between May and September.
Mariners who encounter marker buoys, trailing ropes or any other object they believe presents a danger to navigation are advised to warn nearby vessels and report the hazard to the Irish Coast Guard or the appropriate local authority so that navigational warnings can be issued where necessary.
The updated advice follows renewed concern within the recreational boating community over floating fishing gear. Earlier this month, Irish Sailing urged skippers to report dangerous or poorly marked fishing gear after a number of recent incidents involving pot lines and floating ropes.
The amended Marine Notice is available on the Department of Transport website.
