Dutch captain breached EU regulations in Irish waters

The captain of a factory ship accused of having equipment on board capable of dumping fish overboard was found guilty of the offence by a jury at Cork Circuit Criminal Court where penalty was adjourned until July 27.

Klass Dirk Meijvogel, of Jan Tooropstraut, 9 Katwick, Netherlands, had pleaded not guilty to the offence detected on an inspection of the vessel, Wiron 5, on February 11, 2015.

Since January of this year, EU regulations have made it illegal to discharge or return pelagic fish such as herring, mackerel or horse mackerel to the sea after they are caught.