Cormac Ryan, Balbriggan, Co Dublin was convicted and fined €500 at Dublin District Court on Monday, March 20th 2023 following a prosecution taken by the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The Defendant pleaded guilty to offences for retaining onboard and landing whelk below minimum legal size, contrary to the Whelk (Conservation of Stocks) Regulations 2006 arising from an inspection conducted by the SFPA in June, 2019 at Howth, Co Dublin. The inspection took place following an increase in activity of inspection, and focussed promotion of compliance, in this particular sector of industry.
"The SFPA welcomes the convictions for the retention and landing of whelk below the legal minimum size. The legal requirements for minimum size whelk are a key measure for the conservation of whelk stocks in Ireland and the sustainable fishing for whelk for inshore fishers. This conviction and fine underscores the seriousness of the failure to comply with these measures. The SFPA welcomes the increased level of compliance by operators in the whelk fisheries since 2019. The SFPA commends the SFPA officer for their diligence and hard work on this case".
Ends.