Naval service detains trawler
The French-registered trawler was spotted by the LÉ Aisling fishing 110km off the Mizen Head.
Under new EU legislation designed to safeguard the reef, bottom trawling is banned in designated areas.
The naval vessel had been monitoring the trawler and moved in when officers suspected an offence was being committed in the special conservation area. Vessels fishing at mid-depth area are allowed into the area.
But the LÉ Aisling spotted the trawler had its nets down at depths of up to 200m.
According to sources, trawling at that level would be perilously close to the coral reef.
Underwater coral was only discovered off the coast a few years ago.
Following its discovery, the Government put a case to the EU to get it designated as an area of special conservation in order to protect a number of rare species which live within the reefs.
LÉ Aisling detained the 30m-long trawler on Tuesday afternoon and escorted it to Castletownbere.
The vessel arrived during the early hours of yesterday. The trawler, the AR VAG II, and her crew were then handed over to gardaí.
Naval Service press officer, Lt Commander Terry Wards, said it represented the 16th detention of a fishing vessel in Irish waters this year.
