20 December 2018
The Naval Service flagship, LÉ Eithne, has detained two Irish registered fishing vessels during an overnight operation in the Irish Sea.
The night time boarding operation was coordinated by the national Fisheries Monitoring Centre (FMC) at Haulbowline Naval Base. FMC staff flagged the vessels yesterday following routine analysis of their activities, in consultation with the Sea Fishery Protection Authority (SFPA). Both detentions are in relation to alleged breaches of fishing regulations.
The vessels are currently being escorted to Howth, Co. Dublin, where they are expected to arrive alongside this morning. They will then be handed over to An Garda Síochána.
This brings the number of vessels detained by the Naval Service so far in 2018 to seven.
The Defence Forces conducts at sea fishery inspections in line with a service level agreement between the Department of Defence and the SFPA, as part of its delivery of government services to the state.
Press Release Date: Thursday 20th December 2018
For Further Information contact:
Press Officer: Comdt. James O'Hara
Tel: 045 49 2502 , 045 49 2503
Mobile : 087 2482130
E-mail: Press Officer
