Body that polices fish catches using 'illegal' equipment

The inspections of weighing equipment used by the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority were carried out in preparation for new legislation.

Weighing equipment used by the body charged with policing fish catches in Irish waters does not meet required standards and is operating illegally, according to inspections carried out by the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI). 

The results of the inspections on the equipment follow a decision by the EU to cancel the Irish control plan for policing the industry on the basis that it was completely ineffective in detecting the breaking of fishing quotas in Irish waters.