New protection body for Irish fisheries begins tomorrow

A new protection authority comes into force tomorrow for sea fisheries.

The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) is in charge of ensuring laws are not being broken in Irish waters.

The SFPA is independent from the Department of the Marine, and will enforce the EU Common Fisheries Policy and sea fisheries law generally.

A consultative committee is being set up to ensure the marine sector can formally input into the work of the new authority.

The Headquarters of the SFPA will be permanently located in Clonakilty in conjunction with the new National Marine Headquarters, which will be completed in 2008.

In the intervening period the Authority will, like the decentralising Department staff, be based in interim accommodation at the West Cork Technology Park in Clonakilty.