Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2026
831. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the level of monitoring and inspections that has taken place of the large EU and UK registered pelagic freezer trawlers operating off the Irish coast during January and early February of 2026 targeting horse mackerel and other species; and the landings made by these vessels including bycatches of boarfish [14841/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe monitoring and control of fishing vessels within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone are law enforcement matters for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006, all operational matters are exclusively the responsibility of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service. Under the Act, I am expressly precluded from getting involved in operational matters in relation to sea fisheries control.
Furthermore, the SFPA is the single legal competent authority responsible for the collection and reporting of fish landings into Ireland.
Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's requests to the SFPA for attention and direct reply.
