IRISH AND EU MEETING ON FISHERIES CONSERVATION AND CONTROL MEASURES

Irish and EU meeting on fisheries conservation and control measures. The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA), Ireland’s competent authority for sea-fisheries and seafood production, recently hosted a delegation from the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA), the organisation responsible for operational coordination of fisheries control and inspection activities by member states of the European Union to discuss best practice in fisheries conservation and control measures.

The meeting is part of overall efforts by EFCA to promote greater uniformity between member states in relation to the implementation of control and conservation measures as part of the EU Common Fisheries Policy.

In a wide-ranging and productive session, SFPA personnel and EFCA representatives discussed practices in relation to the weighing of bulk pelagic and demersal landings as well as methodologies associated with sampling plans while visiting the ports of Killybegs and Castletownbere in addition to SFPA’s head office in Clonakilty. During their time in Ireland, EFCA representatives met with members of the industry as well as the SFPA.

The visiting EFCA delegation were also appraised of the specific measures under Ireland’s Sea-Fisheries Control and Sampling Plans which enables Ireland to meet its obligations under the EU Common Fisheries Policy.

The plan which came into effect on January 1st of this year provides a derogation under regulation which facilitates an exemption from weighing on landing for 95% of bulk pelagic landings and a proportion of demersal fish landings, and instead enables weighing of fish after transport in permitted establishments, unless directed otherwise at landing by a Sea-Fisheries Protection Officer of the SFPA.

Paschal Hayes, Executive Chairperson of the SFPA said:

“As Ireland’s competent regulatory authority for sea-fisheries and seafood production, we welcome the opportunity to collaborate with EFCA and to support work which will contribute to ensuring the future sustainability of Ireland’s sea-fisheries and marine resources. The sharing of best-practice and knowledge in relation to control and conservation measures, as part of efforts to ensure the viability of our valuable sea-fisheries industry, is an important piece of work as part of the regulatory remit of the SFPA.”

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