Navy and Air Corps fishery protection patrols halved amid staff shortages and changed priorities

Security sources said the dramatic reduction in fishery patrols is mainly due to greatly reduced personnel in the Naval Service. Photo: Irish Naval Service

Navy and Air Corps fishery protection patrols have almost halved in the last two years, official figures show. It comes as the effective strength of the Naval Service has fallen to 574, compared to the 1,093 minimum strength it should have.

Security sources said the dramatic reduction in fishery patrols is mainly due to greatly reduced personnel in the Naval Service.