Minister to review controversial legislation on fisheries offences

Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Mary Coughlan is reviewing controversial legislation for fisheries offences implemented almost two years ago by former marine minister Noel Dempsey.

The review, which will examine introducing administrative penalties for minor fishery offences, has been welcomed by a strong opponent of the legislation, Cork North Central TD Noel O'Flynn (FF).

The Federation of Irish Fishermen hopes it will result in an amendment of the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, passed in February 2006 in spite of coastal protests.

"This is the system the EU favours, and this was the system we wanted all along," Mr O'Flynn, former chairman of the Oireachtas committee on communications, marine and natural resources, told The Irish Times.

"Our Oireachtas committee carried out an in-depth legal analysis at the time, and proved that there were no constitutional issues involved. I am delighted that Minister Coughlan has taken this sensible approach," Mr O'Flynn said. He is current chairman of the Oireachtas Committee of Members' Interests.

A spokesman for Ms Coughlan said the review would involve the department, the Attorney General's office and the Department of Finance.

The review comes at a time of mounting concern along the coastline over the implementation of Mr Dempsey's legislation.

The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has denied that its officers have been putting the safety of fishing vessels at risk during enforcement duties.

SFPA chairman Peter Whelan said a realistic approach was being taken by his staff in relation to rules requiring skippers to give advance notice of landing.

Officers had been informed that the safety of vessels was never to be put at risk. The so-called "four-hour hail" has proved to be controversial in bad weather situations where vessels are running for shelter.

James O'Flaherty, part-fleet owner in Co Wexford, said SFPA officers inspecting a vessel in Kilmore Quay last month prevented several other vessels behind it from berthing in a force eight gale. The following day, officers were discovered in the wheelhouse of one of the O'Flaherty vessels and refused to identify themselves, he said.

Mr Whelan denied there had been a berthing delay, and claimed his officers were "intimidated" in Kilmore Quay.

© 2008 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times