Ireland

French fishing vessel detained by Naval Service off Cork coast

Vessel stopped about 110 nautical miles south of Mizen Head for alleged breaches of regulations

The LÉ William Butler Yeats will escort the errant vessel to port.
The LÉ William Butler Yeats will escort the errant vessel to port.
Jade Wilson
Sat Aug 21 2021 - 14:33

The Naval Service has detained a French fishing vessel for alleged breaches of fishing regulations.

A Defence Forces spokesperson said the vessel was detained 100 miles off the Cork coast.

"The Naval Service Vessel Lé William Butler Yeats has detained a French registered Fishing Vessel approximately 110 nautical miles south of Mizen Head," said the Naval Service on Saturday.

Following its detention, the French vessel will be escorted to port, where on arrival it will be assigned to the Garda.

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It is the sixth vessel detained by the Naval Service in 2021. In June, a Spanish vessel was detained for illegal fishing in Irish waters.The vessel had allegedly been operating close to Bantry Bay, within the Republic's 12-nautical mile fishing limit.

The Defence Forces conduct at-sea fishery inspections as part of an agreement with the Sea Fishery Protection Authority.

Last year the Naval Service conducted more than 300 operations boarding fishing vessels and this resulted in 16 detentions.