Manolo Fanego Paz, the master of the French registered fishing vessel, “Agoretta”, was convicted and fined €12,500 at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on the 21st May 2025 for an offence of failing to have the required number of Acoustic Deterrent Devices on fishing nets. The Court further ordered forfeiture of the sum of €12,500 from the value of the catch and gear. .
The Court heard evidence that Acoustic Deterrent Devices are a legal requirement for certain fishing gear types in order to protect marine mammals, such as dolphins and other cetaceans, from being caught in fishing nets. The offences were detected through an inspection by Sea-Fisheries Protection Officers of the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and officers from the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) onboard the EFCA patrol vessel, the “Ocean Protector”, in the Irish EEZ in June 2023. Officers inspected approximately 9,000 metres of fishing gear, observing only two Acoustic Deterrent Devices. Evidence was given of the legal requirement that Acoustic Deterrent Devices must be placed along the bottom set gillnets or entangling nets at intervals of no greater than 100 metres or 200 metres, depending on the model of Acoustic Deterrent Device used.
The “Agoretta” was detained at the time of the inspection and under order of the District Court. The fishing master had been sent forward to the Circuit Court on a signed guilty plea.
In reaching its decision, the Court noted the dangers posed by fishing nets to other marine species and the purpose of Acoustic Deterrent Devices to allow fishing in “a sustainable manner.”
Paschal Hayes, Executive Chairperson of the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority commented:
“I note the emphasis placed by the Court on the importance of compliance with the legal requirements relating to Acoustic Deterrent Devices to ensure fishing activities can be carried out in a sustainable manner by reducing risks to other marine animals. Masters and owners of fishing vessels must ensure they take measures to comply with the legal requirements in respect of Acoustic Deterrent Devices when undertaking fishing activities. Information in relation to Acoustic Deterrent Devices is available on the SFPA website. I commend the Sea-Fisheries Protection Officers, EFCA inspectors and An Garda Síochána for their roles in the investigation and prosecution.”
ENDS
Note to Editor
Fisheries Information Notice on Acoustic Deterrent Devices - https://www.sfpa.ie/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=j1at7YaiFkc%3d&portalid=0
Further Information
About the SFPA
The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) is the independent statutory body responsible for the regulation of the sea-fisheries and the sea-food production sectors. It promotes compliance with the EU Common Fisheries Policy, sea-fisheries law and food safety law relating to fish and fish products, verifies compliance and, where necessary, enforces it. Its mandate covers all fishing vessels operating within Ireland’s 200-mile limit, over 2,000 Irish registered fishing vessels wherever they operate, and all seafood produced in Ireland’s seafood processing companies. The SFPA operates through a network of regional port offices situated at Ireland’s main fishery harbours. For further information visit: www.sfpa.ie