Fishing master fined for fishing for shrimp during the closed season
Antoine Griffin, with an address in County Galway, pleaded guilty and was fined €400 at Derrynea District Court on the 21st of April, 2026, for an offence of fishing for shrimp during the closed season as the master of an Irish sea-fishing boat “Naomh Cathal”. The offence was detected during an inshore inspection on the 31st of July, 2025, by officers of the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority.
During the inspection, Sea-Fisheries Protection Officers (SFPOs) found shrimp pots onboard and adjacent to the vessel, with live shrimp inside the pots. It is prohibited to attempt to land, be in possession of, buy, handle, tranship, transport, land, process, store or sell any shrimp which has been caught between the 15th of March and the 1st of August each year.
The Court imposed a fine of a €400, to be paid within six months.
A SFPA spokesperson commented:
“This case underscores the importance of compliance with the conservation measures introduced to support the sustainability of future fishing for shrimp for the seafood industry and fishing communities and the health of the species population in Irish waters. The compliance by fishermen and fisherwomen with such stock conservation regulations, and their efforts to ensure sustainable fishing for shellfish species, should also be acknowledged. The SFPA notes the seriousness attached to the non-compliance by the Court and commends the officers involved for their investigation.”
Main Image © wagrati_photo from Pixabay