Navy arrests factory trawlers

Two large British-registered “factory” trawlers were arrested approximately 30 miles off the Blasket Islands last night.

The first vessel was arrested at approximately 5pm and the second at around 8pm in a joint operation between the Naval Service and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority.

They sent in joint boarding teams from the LE Samuel Beckett naval vessel.

The trawlers, which are each approximately 55 metres long, were targeting pelagic fish, mainly mackerel.

It is believed they had processing plants onboard the vessels. They were detained for alleged breaches of EU fishery laws.

A Naval Service spokesman said it was very unusual to detain two British factory trawlers in one area.

Overnight the trawlers were being escorted to Cobh by the LE Samuel Beckett. It was expected they would arrive this afternoon, at which point they will be handed over to gardaí to facilitate further onboard inspections and possible legal prosecutions.

The Naval Service has previously sent officers to fish factory plants in Killybegs with a view to understanding how to spot illegal catches being held in the holds of factory ships.

This is because often the fish can be frozen very quickly after being caught and hidden under ice.