Social Media Policy
At the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority, Ireland’s competent regulatory authority for sea-fisheries and seafood safety, we recognise the numerous benefits and opportunities presented by social media.
We use social media communication channels as part of our organisational and communications strategy and with the purpose of informing and educating stakeholders such as fishers, industry, industry representative bodies, partner bodies and members of the public about our work.
Our Social Media Policy outlines what you can expect from the SFPA in our engagement through social media channels.
We post content on the following social media accounts:
This policy applies to anyone who engages with the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority social media channels.
Our Social Media Content
If you follow us on social media, you can expect content related to the regulatory remit of the SFPA. This information will be delivered in a range of formats, with social media used as a communications tool to further raise awareness of our work. You will hear about our regulatory work through a range of formats such as:
- Press releases.
- SFPA publications, reports and consultations.
- SFPA Recruitment notices.
- SFPA Fisheries Information Notices.
- SFPA events and in other relevant agency collaborations etc.
Sharing/Reposting etc is not an Endorsement
On occasion, the SFPA may share posts from other accounts if we think that the details may be of interest to our followers and where it also aligns to the regulatory remit of the SFPA and our partner organisations. Please be aware that a retweet should not be considered as an endorsement.
Who we Follow
If you follow us, we will not automatically follow you back. Sometimes we will follow you so that we can exchange direct messages.
If we do follow social media accounts, it does not imply endorsement of any kind.
Moderation and Inappropriate Content
The SFPA will not engage with user content that is:
- Inappropriate, misleading, offensive
- Malicious
- Potentially defamatory or harmful to the SFPA and/or its employees
- Spam
The SFPA will moderate and remove any comments which are abusive, derogatory, defamatory or malicious in nature, and do not comply with our Social Media Policy.
Abusive or spam posts will result in followers being blocked and reported directly to the social media provider.
Comments or opinions expressed by followers of the SFPA do not represent the views of the SFPA.
Privacy and Data Protection
The SFPA strongly recommends that you avoid posting anything personal or private about yourself or anyone else. You should not discuss personal matters or give out any personal details of yourself or of others. This is for the protection of personal data and private information.
The SFPA does not record the contact details of those following our accounts.
The SFPA Twitter account is hosted by Twitter. Please read Twitter’s privacy policy.
The SFPA LinkedIn account is hosted by LinkedIn. Please read LinkedIn’s privacy policy.
The SFPA Instagram account is hosted by Instagram. Please read Instagram’s privacy policy.
Availability
The social media platforms we use may occasionally be unavailable and we accept no responsibility for lack of service due to downtime.
Freedom of Information
The SFPA is subject to Freedom of Information legislation. You can find more information on our website including how you can contact us with a freedom of information request.
Contacting the SFPA
We welcome constructive feedback from followers. Our social media accounts will be monitored during business hours, Monday to Friday 9AM to 5.00PM
Please be aware that we will not be able to reply individually to all the messages we receive on our social media channels.
Where appropriate, we may engage in topical conversations relevant to our core work and responsibilities. Please be aware that sending a message via social media will not be considered as contacting the SFPA for official purposes.
We do not use social media to manage complaints, queries or urgent queries and advise that you visit the ‘Contact Us’ page on our website for more detailed contact information, including email addresses for specific queries via our Contact Us form.
If you have a media query, please email PressOffice@sfpa.ie
Downloadable copy of our Social Media Policy