Fishing Master Brendan Lawlor, with an address in Co. Kerry, pleaded guilty at Tralee District Court on 01st of October 2025, to three offences of unlicensed fishing activity in the period of May 2024 to August 2024.
The Court heard evidence that an SFPA Sea-Fisheries Protection Officer identified references in commercial documents confirming that fishing vessel the “Ciara Marie” was actively engaged in fishing at a time when it did not hold a sea-fishing licence. The documents related to the landing and marketing of Lobster which had been landed at Ballyheigue, Co. Kerry.
The Court heard the master has since obtained a license. Evidence was given that licensing is essential to ensure the sustainable management of fishing. The Court heard that a Code of Practice is required to be in place for a sea-fishing licence to be granted. The Code of Practice sets the standards of safety on board small fishing vessels, of less than 15 metres length overall, which are required to have a sea-fishing boat licence.
The Court directed that a donation of €5,000 be made by the fishing master to the RNLI in order for the fishing master to be left without a conviction and adjourned the matter to December to facilitate the payment.
An SFPA spokesperson commented:
“Sea-fishing licensing is key to ensuring the sustainable balance of fishing capacity and fishing opportunities. It is important that there is consistent compliance across the industry with the sea-fishing licencing requirements. The SFPA notes the importance of these requirements were underscored by the Court’s decision. The SFPA commends the Sea-Fisheries Protection Officers involved for their 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