Richard Power, with an address in Co. Waterford, pleaded guilty at Waterford District Court on the 2nd of November 2026, to three charges of failing to submit electronic fishing logbook data daily, failing to submit an electronic logbook and failing to provide the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority with 4 hours’ advance notice of landing in his capacity as fishing Master of the Irish sea-fishing boat “Girl Geraldine”. The charges related to 30 incidents, over 7 fishing trips, in the period between January and April 2024.
Evidence was given that the non-compliances were detected during a retrospective desktop analysis of the electronic fishing records of the vessel, which is based in Dunmore East, Co. Waterford. The Court heard evidence from a Sea-Fisheries Protection Officer that the 4-hour prior notification of landing related to Multiannual Plan fish species which require a greater necessity for inspection to support stock recovery measures. Evidence was also given that the requirement to record fishing activity daily on the electronic reporting system is a conservation measure for fish stock assessment. The court was told that mistakes in recording of data directly impact quota management, stock assessments, and the availability of fish within a fishing area.
The Court fined Mr Power a total of €1,000. The Court commented on the importance of proper logbooks and the requirement to provide notice to the SFPA to carry out inspections “as maintenance of stocks of various species is important”.
A spokesperson for the SFPA commented:
“The SFPA notes the decision of the Court. Accurate electronic fishing logbook data is key to assessing the health of fish stocks and to inform sea-fisheries management decisions. Accurate data, and the ability of authorities to undertake inspection measures, are key to supporting sustainable fishing opportunities for the future. We commend the officers involved in this investigation.”
Ends
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