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New Weighing Controls for Pelagic Fisheries


New Weighing Controls for Pelagic Fisheries

The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has confirmed a percentage of all catches of pelagic species landed in the State will be weighed upon landing from the start of the 2020 spring pelagic fisheries...The measure arises from the recommendations of an audit conducted by the European Commission in relation to compliance with pelagic fisheries regulations.

EU regulations require the weighing of catches prior to transport from the place of landing and compliance with this requirement involves the weighing of catches as may be directed by SFPA Sea Fisheries Protection Officers in the course of a landing inspection. Under a derogation previously approved by the European Commission, the landing and transport of catches for weighing in permitted establishments is permissible and this will continue in tandem with the additional procedures.  Controls in these establishments will continue to ensure compliance with legislation and weigh permit conditions. 

An inspecting Sea Fisheries Protection Officer will notify masters of vessels when weighing of their catches prior to transport from the place of landing will be required.  There will be an allowance of 2% made for water during these weighing operations. This will be deducted from the weights obtained to determine the Official Weigh Record that will be entered in all official documentation and systems used for recording of weighed catches.

Susan Steele, Chair of the SFPA stated that SFPA staff will ensure that the weighing operations at landing are completed in an efficient manner. “This requirement will be applied to a small portion of landings and co-operation with our officers will ensure that weighing operations are completed efficiently. In most cases, inspections and associated controls will continue as before. We would also encourage anyone who has any queries to contact the Senior Port Officer in their local SFPA Port office.”

 

-ENDS-