Fishermen in the south-west have expressed alarm at the Naval Service detention of a Spanish flagship without a licence in Irish waters last week.
"What hope have we if the Irish Box is opened to Spain, when a flagship can dare to fish without even the basic paperwork?" the Irish South and West Fishermen's Organisation's chief executive, Mr Jason Whooley, asked.
The British-registered Burghley was apprehended by the LE Eithne for alleged illegal fishing 180 miles south-west of Loop Head. Its master, Mr Antonio Arlos Casas, was released on bail of €250 and ordered to obtain a bond of €190,000 last week when charged with fishing in restricted waters, and is due to appear before Cork Circuit Court on December 2nd. The vessel had no gear on board when it was escorted into Castletownbere, Co Cork, and the IS&WFO says its gill nets have been left at sea to "ghost fish", causing untold damage to stocks.
The vessel had been reported to the Naval Service as having had its fishing licence revoked.
In a separate development, the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Ahern, is expected to establish an interim independent appeals board this week for sea-fishing boat licensing.
