SFPA PUBLISHES ONLINE GUIDANCE

SFPA Publishes Online Guidance

The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority Publishes First Online Guidance Document on Commercial Fishing Gear Type & Technical Measures to promote Compliance

The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has published a Guidance Document for industry, titled ‘Commercial Fishing Gear Types and Technical Measures.’  This guide is the first of its type and brings together all the relevant information required for commercial fishers to comply with regulations relating to the use of fishing gear.

Commenting on the publication of the guide, an SFPA Spokesperson said; “This new online guide provides a useful reference tool for commercial fishers. The promotion of compliance with Sea-Fisheries regulations is an important part of the SFPA’s mandate and guidance documents such as this provide industry with the most comprehensive and accessible information available to support compliance. The purpose of this guidance document is to provide information on commercial fishing gear types and the regulated technical measures governing their use. The key areas covered in the document includes descriptions of the major gear types; how the gear operates; the provision of a list of legal requirements associated with the fishing gear; defining the different sea areas around the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as well as describing any mandatory gear requirement in place for these areas. The document focuses on enhancing understanding and promoting responsible fishing practices within the Irish EEZ.”

The guidance document can be viewed online via the following link on SFPA website:  FFSU-FC-GN-OC-25 Guidance Note on Commercial Fishing Gear Types and Technical Measures V1

The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) is the independent statutory body responsible for the regulation of the sea-fisheries and the sea-food production sectors. It promotes compliance with the EU Common Fisheries Policy, sea-fisheries law and food safety law relating to fish and fish products, verifies compliance and, where necessary, enforces it. Its mandate covers all fishing vessels operating within Ireland’s 200-mile limit, over 2,000 Irish registered fishing vessels wherever they operate, and all seafood produced in Ireland’s seafood processing companies. The SFPA operates through a network of regional port offices situated at Ireland’s main fishery harbours. For further information visit: www.sfpa.ie

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Photo Caption: Sea-Fisheries Protection Officer verifying fishing gear