More SFPA inspections in 2023

Authority’s report records 17% rise in vessel inspections last year

The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) annual report for 2023 has revealed an increase in fishing vessel inspections last year.

The report, published earlier this month, shows that throughout 2023 a total of 2,222 vessel inspections were undertaken, up from 1,903 the previous year – an increase of 17%. Subsequently a total of 85 case files were opened, comprising 63 sea-fisheries law and 22 food safety law enforcement cases.

Describing 2023 as ‘a significant year’ owing to the implementation of the European Commission-approved Sea-Fisheries Control Plan – which ensures Ireland adheres to its obligations under the CFP and is key to the country receiving a derogation allowing weighing after transport, for 95% of its fishery products – the report says that plan ‘progressed satisfactorily over the course of the year’.

Following Covid restrictions, inshore patrols were resumed, with a total of 39 undertaken. Additionally, the authority participated in six joint deployments onboard offshore patrol vessels chartered and co-ordinated by the European Fisheries Control Agency, which ‘provided additional operational capabilities to promote compliance with sea-fisheries legislation in Irish waters of EU and non-EU flagged vessels’.

During the year, a total of 2,297 Food Safety Official Controls were conducted across 2,325 food premises, with the SFPA responding to 67 food incidents where there were ‘concerns regarding the safety or quality of food which required examination in the interests of public health’.

The authority’s Trade Control Unit supported the industry through trade requirement revisions, including exporting to the UK, and live crab exports to China. In total, the SFPA enabled the export of 3,802 consignments of seafood totalling 49,782t from 44 businesses to 41 countries outside the EU, with 744 catch certificates issued for the export of 19,187t of seafood produce to third countries, including the UK.

Paschal Hayes, executive chairperson of the SFPA, said: “In a challenging climate for Ireland’s sea-fisheries and seafood sector in 2023, the SFPA continued to provide regulatory oversight of our sea-fishing fleet and our seafood processing sector, underpinning the sustainability and safety of our internationally renowned seafood offering.

“The SFPA demonstrated its capacity as the effective, fair regulator and promoter of compliance with sea-fisheries and seafood safety law throughout the year.”

The full report is available at: https://www.sfpa.ie/Search/resource/2998

This story was taken from the latest issue of Fishing News. For more up-to-date and in-depth reports on the UK and Irish commercial fishing sector, subscribe to Fishing News here or buy the latest single issue for just £3.50 here.

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