Minister plans fixed penalties for fishermen

A new system of fixed penalty notice penalties for minor fisheries offences should be brought in next year, Marine Minister Simon Coveney has said.

Mr Coveney said he was sympathetic to reforming the law as he spoke against a proposed Fianna Fáil marine bill in the Seanad. He said such action was needed to prevent Irish waters becoming a “soft target” for inappropriate fishing.

A government bill should be introduced by Easter, Mr Coveney told the upper house as he stressed he did not want to see a criminal sanction for minor fisheries offences.