Fisheries watchdog is ‘undermining industry’

FISHERMEN have accused the state’s new fisheries watchdog of undermining the industry.

The west Cork-based Irish South and West Fisherman’s Organisation expressed its “concern and disappointment” following a report from the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) last week, about detentions so far this year.

SFPA said marine inspectors have, in association with the Irish Naval Service, detained 14 Irish and EU-registered fishing boats in the first three months of the year for suspected breaches of fishing regulations. They were detained at various locations in Wexford, Cork, Waterford and Dublin. It claimed there were 28 cases of alleged illegal landings of fish off Irish shores, and a further 14 vessels were issued with warnings.