Menu
17/12/2008
Skipper Fined Over Catch Deception
The Spanish skipper of a UK-registered trawler has been fined €1,000 for underdeclaring the size of a catch of hake at Killybegs.
Donegal Circuit Court also heard this week that the owners of the John-Loren automatically forfeited the catch and fishing gear worth a total of €35,000.
Roberto Viquiera, the 51-year-old skipper from Spain admitted the offence - a breach of Irish and EU regulations - which was discovered when his vessel was boarded at Killybegs by a Sea Fisheries Protection officer last Saturday week.
The court heard that the John-Loren regularly dropped-off fish at Killybegs. It was then sent to Spain and sold there.
On this occasion checks showed the catch weighed 1,000 kilos more than was registered in the log. The excess catch was worth €1,600.
Judge John O'Hagan said he was satisfied from the evidence that the skipper wasn't personally aware that the size of the fish haul breached regulations although he accepted responsibility.
Weighing the catch was a job carried out by another member of crew and a "tolerance" level of eight per cent in excess was permitted, but the catch exceeded that.
The judge noted that the street value of the over-catch was €1,600. He observed the mandatory seizure of the catch and gear was a "very high penalty" for the quantity involved.
The vessel had also been tied up in port for five days as a result of the offence.
(BMcC)
Donegal Circuit Court also heard this week that the owners of the John-Loren automatically forfeited the catch and fishing gear worth a total of €35,000.
Roberto Viquiera, the 51-year-old skipper from Spain admitted the offence - a breach of Irish and EU regulations - which was discovered when his vessel was boarded at Killybegs by a Sea Fisheries Protection officer last Saturday week.
The court heard that the John-Loren regularly dropped-off fish at Killybegs. It was then sent to Spain and sold there.
On this occasion checks showed the catch weighed 1,000 kilos more than was registered in the log. The excess catch was worth €1,600.
Judge John O'Hagan said he was satisfied from the evidence that the skipper wasn't personally aware that the size of the fish haul breached regulations although he accepted responsibility.
Weighing the catch was a job carried out by another member of crew and a "tolerance" level of eight per cent in excess was permitted, but the catch exceeded that.
The judge noted that the street value of the over-catch was €1,600. He observed the mandatory seizure of the catch and gear was a "very high penalty" for the quantity involved.
The vessel had also been tied up in port for five days as a result of the offence.
(BMcC)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 June 2015
Man's Body Recovered In Co Donegal
A man's body has been found off the coast of Killybegs in Donegal. The 56-year-old's body was recovered by the coastguard from Killybegs harbour. It is believed the man was a Spanish national who was working on a fishing boat close by. Gardaí said the death is not being treated as suspicious.
Man's Body Recovered In Co Donegal
A man's body has been found off the coast of Killybegs in Donegal. The 56-year-old's body was recovered by the coastguard from Killybegs harbour. It is believed the man was a Spanish national who was working on a fishing boat close by. Gardaí said the death is not being treated as suspicious.
19 May 2014
Fisherman Rescued From Lobster Buoy After Boat Sinks
A local fishing boat has rescued a fisherman left clinging to a lobster buoy when his boat sank off Tullagh Beach, Co Donegal. The alarm was raised just before 2pm on Sunday when a man tending sheep some half mile away arrived on the beach to investigate what he thought sounded like someone calling for help.
Fisherman Rescued From Lobster Buoy After Boat Sinks
A local fishing boat has rescued a fisherman left clinging to a lobster buoy when his boat sank off Tullagh Beach, Co Donegal. The alarm was raised just before 2pm on Sunday when a man tending sheep some half mile away arrived on the beach to investigate what he thought sounded like someone calling for help.
06 August 2013
Two Men Airlifted To Hospital In Separate Incidents
An 81-year-old man is on his way to Cork University Hospital after being gored by a bull, garda have said. He is being moved by the Coast Guard Helicopter from Drimoleague in west Cork following the attack.
Two Men Airlifted To Hospital In Separate Incidents
An 81-year-old man is on his way to Cork University Hospital after being gored by a bull, garda have said. He is being moved by the Coast Guard Helicopter from Drimoleague in west Cork following the attack.
20 December 2012
Deal Reached Following Difficult Negotiations Of Fishing Quotas
Simon Coveney T.D. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine today welcomed the deal reached early this morning after two days and an overnight session of difficult and complex negotiations.
Deal Reached Following Difficult Negotiations Of Fishing Quotas
Simon Coveney T.D. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine today welcomed the deal reached early this morning after two days and an overnight session of difficult and complex negotiations.
20 May 2011
Castlemaine Harbour Commercial Fishing To Be Re-Opened
Following receipt of the results of the pilot fishery undertaken in 2010, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has announced plans to re-open licensed commercial fishing in Castlemaine Harbour.
Castlemaine Harbour Commercial Fishing To Be Re-Opened
Following receipt of the results of the pilot fishery undertaken in 2010, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has announced plans to re-open licensed commercial fishing in Castlemaine Harbour.
-
Ireland WeatherToday:Scattered sleet and snow showers will turn increasingly heavy and more frequent in the afternoon across the north. Largely dry with sunny spells in the south, but showers spreading here towards the end of the day. Maximum temperature 4 °C.Tonight:Frequent, often heavy showers of rain, sleet and snow will affect most parts this evening and overnight, but are likely to be most frequent across the northeast. Minimum temperature -1 °C.
