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MASTER OF SEA-FISHING VESSEL PLEADS GUILTY TO ILLEGAL FISHING ACTIVITY
Master of sea-fishing vessel pleads guilty to illegal fishing activity. The master of the previously registered fishing vessel, the ‘Endeavour’, pleaded guilty to charges for contraventions of sea-fisheries regulations, at Dublin Circuit Court on the 19th of November 2025. The case relates to infringements detected during a European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) patrol in February 2023 in the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone during the course of an investigation by a Sea-Fisheries Protection Officer (SFPO) of the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA).
The master pleaded guilty to charges of fishing in excess of quota for Haddock, the provision of inaccurate information to an SFPO, mis-recording of catch data in the fishing logbook and landing declaration, and non-compliance with stowage plan rules. The Court heard evidence that during the course of the at-sea inspection, an over-recording of boxes of sorted catches was detected along with an under-recording of boxes of Haddock which also had not been recorded in the stowage plan for the vessel. Evidence was given that the vessel had exceeded its quota for Haddock a number of days prior to the inspection however, the vessel continued to fish in the same fishing area and to catch Haddock. The Court finalised the matter by way of a fine on the master in the sum of €2,000.
Paschal Hayes, Executive Chairperson of the SFPA commented:
“I note the decision of the Court. Fishing in excess of quota threatens the sustainability of sea-fishing for fishing communities and undermines the future availability of stocks of fish species with adverse implications for marine ecosystems.
Accurate data from fishing vessels, as required under national and EU legislation, is essential to assess the health of fish stocks and to inform science-based sea-fisheries management decisions. I commend the officers involved in this investigation and the effective cooperation between the EFCA Union Inspectors, and Sea-Fisheries Protection Officers of the SFPA that led to this outcome.”
