SFPA PUBLISHES UPDATED FISHERIES INFORMATION NOTICE

SFPA Publishes Updated Fisheries Information Notice on the Marking and Identification of Fishing Vessels & Fishing Gear.  The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) recently published an updated Fisheries Information Notice (FIN) on the marking of fishing gear. This FIN has been updated and now covers the requirements for marking fishing vessels as well as fishing gear. The Marking and Identification of Fishing Vessels & Fishing Gear FIN can be accessed on sfpa.ie *

Union fishing vessels must be clearly marked in accordance with European legislation. This FIN specifies the requirements for marking fishing vessels with the external registration letters and numbers, and where applicable, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) number. The FIN also covers the specifications for marking beam trawls and passive gear, which must be clearly marked when carried onboard Union fishing vessels and deployed in Union waters.

It is crucial for all vessel operators to familiarise themselves with this FIN. For further details on the FIN, please contact  sfpafood&fisheriessupport@sfpa.ie. We are committed to providing assistance and guidance to support compliance with new and existing legislation.

*The FIN can be accessed on the SFPA website under ‘Fishery Information Notices’: https://www.sfpa.ie/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=4qyeyzCEcpU%3d&portalid=0 and at the following link: https://www.sfpa.ie/What-We-Do/Sea-Fisheries-Information/Fishery-Information-Notices#1375375-marking-and-identification). This FIN was published on 07/08/2024 and replaces FIN 06 of 2021 – Marking and Identification of Fishing Gear.

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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