The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority maintains that it has carried out “both physical and administrative inspections of Belgian vessels landing into Cork Port as well as joint operations with the Belgian authorities of Belgian- flagged vessels landing into Irish ports including Cork.”
This follows complaints landings by Belgian beam trawlers at the upper quays of Cork Harbour, close to the city, were not being checked by SFPA Inspectors.
The issue of the Belgian landings came into focus last Summer after an SFPA raid, accompanied by armed Gardai, on O.F. Fishing Limited Kilmore Quay, County Wexford, run by the well-known, O’Flaherty Brothers. Following a search of the Kilmore Quay premises, where nothing illegal was found, company computers were removed. The SFPA said it was part of an “on-going investigation.” Gardai issued a statement which parphrased the same. Nothing further has since been said publicly by the SFPA about any outcome of that action.
In Area 7 F and G off the South/East in the Celtic Sea Belgium has a quota of 730 tonnes annually. Ireland is allowed only 37 tonnes under the Common Fisheries Policy .It is understood that complaints were made from representatives of Belgian beamers fishing in the area about Irish-caught fish being sold in Belgium. One Belgian beamer was reported to have landed 3,740 kilos of black sole worth €75,000 on a single trip. Cork has been used as a landing port by Belgian beamers, into lorries for transport to Belgium
“In 2024 the SFPA carried out both physical and administrative inspections of Belgian vessels landing into Cork Port as well as joint operations with the Belgian authorities of Belgian-flagged vessels landing into Irish ports including Cork Port.”
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