THE SEA Fisheries Protection Authority has been accused of issuing "misleading" information about the level of law-breaking by Irish fishing vessels in Irish waters.
A list issued by the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) this week identifies 14 Irish-registered vessels detained for various offences in the first three months of the year.
However, the Irish South and West Fishermen's Organisation (IS&WFO) has queried the timing and manner of the publication, when some of the offences are minor, and when one of the 14 is in fact a French-registered vessel.
The French-registered vessel, the Miss Jacqueline II, was detained 164 nautical miles south of the Fastnet lighthouse off west Cork by the LE Emer on March 14th .
It was the second time the French vessel had been detained in five months for offences relating to nets and documentation.
It was last apprehended for similar offences on November 6th, 2007.
When contacted by The Irish Times, the SFPA confirmed that it was French and not Irish.
Naval Service fishery patrol statistics are showing a far greater level of compliance by Irish vessels than that indicated by the SFPA in its statements, and the agency is "undermining the name" of the Irish industry at a time when it is undergoing major change, the IS&WFO says.
