Fishermen won’t be criminalised for minor offences

Fishermen in Irish seas who commit minor offences will not be crimin-alised or face confiscation of their catch or equipment.

Proposals launched yesterday by Fianna Fáil aim to decriminalise some sea fishery offences committed by Irish-registered vessels.

Under a proposed bill to be brought to the Seanad, trawler skippers would face administrative penalties and fines of €400 as opposed to more serious measures under current EU fishery laws.