Eusebio Sanjorge Allariz, with an address in Spain, master of the UK-registered fishing vessel Gonpez I, pleaded guilty at Bantry District Court on the 30th of September, to a charge of under-recording of catch of Megrims by 1,150 kgs in contravention of EU regulations. The offence was detected during an inspection by SFPA Sea-Fisheries Protection Officers in Castletownbere on Friday September 29th following which the vessel was detained by the SFPA and An Garda Síochána. Mr Sanjorge Allariz was convicted and fined €2,500.
An SFPA spokesperson commented:
“The SFPA notes the conviction and penalty imposed for this failure to accurately record fish catch. The legal requirement on vessel masters of both EU and third country vessels to ensure accurate recording of catches in EU waters is crucial in order to obtain a reliable assessment of the extent of fish species caught, which is key to the sustainable management of stocks and quota allocation. This conviction underscores the seriousness of inaccurate logbook data and the active measures taken by SFPA officers to inspect for compliance.”
SFPA Executive Chair Paschal Hayes stated:
“I commend our Sea-Fisheries Protection Officers for their diligence and work on the case"
Ends.