SFPA PUBLISHES GUIDANCE ON MARGIN OF TOLERANCE CHANGES IN ELECTRONIC LOGBOOKS

SFPA publishes guidance on margin of tolerance changes in electronic logbooks.  The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) recently updated ieCatch, the Irish electronic logbook system, to reflect margin of tolerance changes under EU Regulation 2023/2842.* Changes to the margin of tolerance rules for the recording of fishery products came into force on the 10^th July 2024. To guide industry members on margin of tolerance and the changes in ieCatch, the SFPA has published a new margin of tolerance webpage. This page is available on the SFPA website. **

A video and paper guide have been created for electronic logbook users to demonstrate how the changes appear in the logbook, using screenshots from ieCatch. In addition, a video presentation on the margin of tolerance is available on the website for industry members. This video outlines the margin of tolerance rules under the new European regulation, including the derogation for certain unsorted pelagic fisheries.

All electronic logbook users should familiarise themselves with the changes to margin of tolerance. The SFPA are committed to supporting compliance with both new and existing legislation and are available to provide guidance. For assistance or further details on the FIN, please contact: sfpafood&fisheriessupport@sfpa.ie

* Regulation (EU) 2023/2842

** The margin of tolerance webpage can be accessed here – Margin of Tolerance (sfpa.ie)

The margin of tolerance is the difference between the estimated quantity of species recorded by the master in the fishing logbook (estimated live-weight) and the actual weight of the species once weighed and converted to live-weight (live-weight equivalent). The permitted margin of tolerance under the Control Regulation was set at 10% for all species. From the 10^th July 2024, the margin of tolerance increased to 20% for species with a live-weight equivalent (LWE) of 100kg or less.

Additionally, specific derogations were introduced for species landed unsorted in small pelagic fisheries, tropical tuna purse seine fisheries, and fisheries for industrial purposes. The margin of tolerance that applies to these fisheries depends on whether they are landed into a listed or non-listed port. The requirements for ports to become listed are detailed in the new Implementing Regulation 2024/1474. No ports have been listed to date. Further information will be provided pending any approval by the European Commission to list ports within the jurisdiction of the Irish State.

Further details can be accessed here

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