Sea Fisheries Protection Authority News
The first annual Seafood Trade Report of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has a few interesting statistics about how Ireland’s fishing industry is doing outside of the European Union. Three countries account for 63% of Irish seafood exported to…
Nigeria, Egypt and China are the leading export markets for Irish seafood outside of the EU. A report by the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) states that 93.4 per cent of seafood exported last year comprised pelagic species, including blue…
State Regulator Seeking Fishing Vessels for Remote Electronic Monitoring Pilot Project
26th March 2023 Fishing
The State’s fisheries regulator is seeking a number of Irish-registered fishing vessels to take part in a pilot project involving remote electronic monitoring (REM). The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) says it has written to fisheries producer organisations to encourage…
Skippers and owners of smaller Irish fishing vessels are to be given training in the use of electronic logbooks at sea. The training is to be provided for the 12 to 15-metre category of vessel which had been exempt until…
Sea Fisheries Protection Authority Makes Appointment of Michael Finn and Jonathan Hoare as Authority Members
4th October 2022 SFPA
The Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue has announced the appointment of Mr Michael Finn and Mr Jonathan Hoare as Executive Members of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA). The appointments follow the recent Public Appointments Service…
The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) says it looks forward to “continued and ongoing engagement” with Irish environmental non-governmental organisations (NGOs), following a meeting with representatives last week. A range of issues related to “safeguarding and enhancing Ireland’s marine environment and…
The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority has decided that Irish pelagic vessels involved in pair fishing must submit individual authorisation applications “with immediate effect”. Pair trawling or fishing involves two or more vessels fishing together, dragging a single large net with…
SFPA Publishes Classification List for Commercial Shellfish Production Areas
30th July 2022 Aquaculture
The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has published its annual classification list for commercial shellfish (bivalve mollusc) production areas across Ireland. This assesses 135 classifications in 60 production areas against strict safety requirements for human consumption. Across Ireland, nine production areas…
Sea Fisheries Protection Authority Urges Restaurants Not to Buy Shellfish from Recreational Fishers
4th June 2022 SFPA
Recreational fishers are urged to comply with regulations on catch, sale and purchase of crabs and lobsters, the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has said. The authority said it is also calling on all who purchase fish - and in…
SFPA has "Highest Reputation in Europe" as Regulator - But Can't Sort Fish Landing Row in Killybegs, Oireachtas Committee Hears
20th May 2022 Fishing
The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) was asked to explain why it couldn’t sort out the fish landings row in Killybegs, Co Donegal, at an Oireachtas committee meeting on Wednesday. “You’ve really significant powers, you’ve attained oversight of the factories…
State Sea Fisheries Regulator Defends its Actions in Continuing Row over Blue Whiting Landings in Donegal
30th April 2022 SFPA
The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has confirmed that it has withdrawn permits for two fish processors in the continuing row over weighing of pelagic landings. The SFPA also says it will “not accept the misuse” of the weigh after…
SFPA Says it Will "Continue to Engage" Amid a Continuing Row Over Fish Landings
14th April 2022 SFPA
The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) says it will continue to engage with fishing industry representatives after an online meeting was held yesterday in relation to the row over fish landings. The row erupted last month after Danish vessel Ruth headed…
As the row over inspection of fish landings continues, the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) invited industry representatives to a virtual meeting on the issue. Irish Fish Processors’ and Exporters’ Association (IFPEA) chief executive Brendan Byrne confirmed that an invitation…
The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority has acknowledged that the Master of the Danish Fishing Vessel MV Ruth objected to the SFPA's process for weighing upon landing, at Killybegs in County Donegal on Thursday, March 31st. In a statement, the Authority…
SFPA Says New Control Plan Due to Come into Force on May 1st Subject to EU Approval
30th March 2022 SFPA
The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) says a new control plan is expected to come into effect on May 1st. This is subject to approval by the European Commission, which withdrew Ireland’s control plan for weighing fish catches a year ago…
SFPA Chair Warns Sea Fisheries Regulator is "Committed to Detecting Those Who Chose Not to Comply"
11th February 2022 SFPA
The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority’s executive chair has said that the organisation is “committed” to detecting those who “choose not to comply” with the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The new chair Paschal Hayes was commenting after fines were imposed by…
