The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) wishes to remind the fishing industry that, with effect from 01 October 2026, all trawling activity by vessels over 18 metres length overall is prohibited in waters of the exclusive fishery limits of the State within a distance of six nautical miles of the baselines, including waters inside the baselines. For the purposes of this prohibition, trawling activity includes any fishing activity using trawl or seine nets.
This prohibition is implemented pursuant to Policy Directive 1 of 2025.
Fishing vessel operators affected by the prohibition should have received an updated sea-fishing licence incorporating the 6 nautical mile limit preclusion into the conditions of their licence. Fishing vessel owners and masters are reminded to familiarise themselves with, and ensure compliance with, the conditions of their licence.
For assistance or further details please contact: sfpafood&fisheriessupport@sfpa.ie
Ends
Note to Editor
Relevant links:
Website page - Public Consultation on Trawling Activity Inside the Six Nautical Mile Zone and the Baselines
Document - Policy Directive 1 of 2025 document
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