SFPA PUBLISHES UPDATED FIN ON NON-COMMERCIAL POT FISHING IN IRELAND

SFPA publishes updated FIN on non-commercial pot fishing in Ireland. The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) recently published an updated Fisheries Information Notice titled ‘Non-Commercial Pot Fishing in Ireland.’ National Legislation is in place in Ireland to control non-commercial pot fishing for lobster and crab by all recreational fishing vessels within the internal waters or territorial seas of the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone. Non-commercial fishing carried out by recreational vessels may only take place if there is no intention or attempt to sell or offer for reward the caught fishery products – the catch may only be for personal consumption.

The FIN aims to bring awareness to recreational fishers of their regulatory obligations in respect of Non-Commercial Pot Fishing. The FIN covers the following key areas: the closed season for all relevant crab species and lobster; v-notched and mutilated lobster; daily catch allowance, pot limit and storage as well as marker buoys and ropes.

The SFPA is committed to supporting compliance with both new and existing legislation and is available to provide guidance. For assistance or further details on the FIN, please contact: sfpafood&fisheriessupport@sfpa.ie

The FIN can be accessed on the SFPA website www.sfpa.ie under ‘Fishery Information Notices/ Recreational Fishing’ or by following this link: FFSU-FC-FIN-OC-05-25 Non-Commercial Pot Fishing_V2

About the SFPA 

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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