Martin O’ Driscoll, the Master of the Irish sea-fishing boat “Ballagh Boy”, with an address in Co. Cork, was convicted and fined €400 at Clonakilty District Court on the 6th of January 2026 for an offence of retaining below minimum legal-size Crawfish onboard. The offence was detected in the course of an inshore patrol by officers of the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority near Reen, Co. Cork in August 2023. The Court heard evidence that Sea-Fisheries Protection Officers (SFPOs) found 49 below minimum legal-size crawfish onboard the vessel and in the keep. In addition, SFPOs found the Master did not have a working measuring gauge. The Court also heard that the Master was not registered in the Irish Fishing Masters Register.
An SFPO outlined to the Court how the conservation measures for crawfish in Ireland have had a positive effect and appeared to support an increase in stocks of crawfish in recent years. The Court was informed of the legal requirement on Masters to return below minimum legal-size crawfish immediately to the sea and that such catches cannot be held onboard or taken elsewhere.
It was confirmed that the illegal catch was returned to the sea by SFPOs.
In making its decision, the Court commented on “the importance of not catching undersized fish” and that it is “essential” for Masters to have the necessary instruments onboard for measuring shellfish.
A SFPA spokesperson commented:
“This case underscores the importance of compliance with the conservation measures introduced to support the sustainability of future fishing for crawfish for inshore fishing communities and the health of the species population in Irish waters. The compliance by fishermen and fisherwomen with such stock conservation regulations, and their efforts to ensure sustainable fishing for shellfish species, should also be acknowledged. The SFPA commends the officers involved for their investigation.”
ENDS
Note to Editor
Image of a Crawfish attached
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