THE SFPA RELEASES UPDATED SYSTEM FOR TAKE-OVER DECLARATIONS

The SFPA releases updated system for take-over declarations. The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has released an updated system for the completion of take-over declarations for fishery products. All operators in Ireland are required to complete and submit take-over declarations via the new portal in FishingNet.ie To assist operators with this transition and clarify the requirements, the SFPA has published a Fisheries Information Notice (FIN) titled ‘Take-Over Declarations.’

A take-over declaration must be completed and submitted for fishery products that are intended for sale at a later stage and are not sold immediately after landing. A sales note is also required to be completed once the sale has taken place. For example, if products are stored prior to sale, a take-over declaration must be submitted. Once those products are sold, a corresponding sales note must also be submitted. Take-over declarations resemble sales notes, but do not include a value as the products have not yet been sold, and instead record the location of storage and date of take-over.

Registered buyers and other persons responsible for the first marketing of fisheries products must submit accurate take-over declarations and sales notes. If the first buyer has not yet been selected, the vessel master is responsible for submitting the take-over declaration. Operators must apply to become a registered fish buyer before entering take-over declarations.

The process for entering take-over declarations is similar to sales notes entry, via the FishingNet.ie portal. Users will benefit from an auto-fill feature, which simplifies the completion of sales notes by transferring the details from their submitted take-over declarations. Submission deadlines for take-over declarations of either 24 or 48 hours after the landing apply, depending on the annual turnover of the submitting operator.

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

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