A combined Naval Service and Air Corps operation has resulted in the detention of a Norwegian fishing vessel for alleged logbook offences in Irish waters.
Also, the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Dr Woods, has ordered an investigation into an alleged ramming of an Irish boat by a French vessel off the south-east coast yesterday.
The detained Norwegian vessel, the Moegsterfjord, was escorted into Killybegs, Co Donegal, yesterday by the patrol ship, LE Deirdre. It is believed to have had 610 tonnes of blue whiting on board when apprehended 180 miles west of Achill on Saturday.
It is the first arrest by the Naval Service of a Norwegian boat for this type of offence and is particularly significant, given Norway's own harsh fisheries management regime.
Under an EU/Norwegian agreement on shared fish stocks, including mackerel, the non-EU member has a quota of blue whiting in these waters.
Blue whiting has been a developing fishing species for the Donegal super-trawler fleet. Last year some 46,000 tonnes of it was caught by seven Irish vessels for use as fishmeal. Trials are currently taking place to process the fish for human consumption.
The Naval patrol ship, LE Orla was yesterday deployed to investigate reports of a ramming of a Dingle fishing vessel some 40 miles south of Dunmore East.
The Resolution II was gillnetting with eight crew on board when it reported that a French trawler steamed over its gear and then rammed its bow.
An Air Corps plane was sent to search for the French vessel and the LE Orla was assigned to take statements. Dr Woods promised last year to amend legislation in relation to harassment incidents at sea but so far this has not happened.
He also urged Irish fishermen to use the coast radio network to give immediate reports of incidents, so that the Air Corps fishery patrol planes could be deployed.
Bilateral talks have been initiated with French fishermen to agree a code of practice at sea and a recent meeting was also held with the Spanish Fisheries Minister with a view to setting up similar meetings between Irish and Spanish skippers.
The incidents come at a time of increased EU-led surveillance of fishing activity, both at sea and on shore.
Late last week, Department of the Marine sea fisheries inspectors examined the contents of four trucks carrying herring into Killybegs.
It is understood that the inspectors were concerned about where the fish had been landed.
The Department has said that the purpose of the examination was "to establish the origin of the fish and to request the relevant transport documentation as required by EU law". It has confirmed that "follow-up procedures" to this inspection are currently under way.
The Defence Forces press office confirmed that the Resolution II had been involved in another incident at sea earlier this week, following a complaint by a Howth vessel, the Crest.
Both Irish vessels, which were using different fishing gear, were boarded on February 11th by the LE Orla and statements were taken.
