FISHING MASTER FINED FOR UNDER-RECORDING CATCHES

Fishing master fined for under-recording catches. Shane Wilde, from Co. Dublin, was fined €12,000 at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on the 30th of June 2025, following a guilty plea to a charge of under-recording catches of Norway lobster (also known as Dublin Bay prawn) in the official fishing logbook while master of the Ireland-registered sea-fishing vessel “Ave Maria II”, in November 2021.

The offence was detected during an inspection of catch at Ros a’ Mhíl port, Co. Galway by Sea-Fisheries Protection Officers of the Sea-Fisheries protection Authority (SFPA). It was identified through both a physical inspection of the truck transporting the catch, and an analysis of official documents submitted by the fishing master. The Court heard evidence that the master had under-recorded catches of boxed, frozen Norway lobster by 17.5%, which amounted to approximately 618kgs with a monetary value of approximately €7,908. Evidence was given that the vessel was fishing in an area known as Functional Unit 16 of the Porcupine Bank off the Irish west coast, where there are tighter regulatory controls on fishing due to the extensive exploitation of fish stocks in this area. The Court also heard of the importance of accurate recording of catches taken from the sea for the purposes of setting quotas for fishing.

In making its decision, the Court remarked on the seriousness of the offence, and it had to take into account the catches were taken from a strictly regulated marine area, which the Court noted was “understood by all and needs to be protected.” The Court commented on the impact of under-reporting of catches on quotas being set and remarked on the importance of “knowing what fishing is happening” and the need to “protect from overfishing.”

An SFPA spokesperson commented:

“The SFPA notes the decision of the Court and seriousness attached to this offence by the Court. Accurate catch data in EU waters is the basis for sustainable quota management and catch limits to avoid depletion of stocks, and ensuring healthy future of fish stocks, which is key to supporting future fishing opportunities for coastal communities and the conservation of marine resources. The SFPA commends the Sea-Fisheries Protection Officers involved in this case for their investigation.

Source