Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) is an independent regulatory agency as set down in the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006. All operational issues are exclusively for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA). As Minister, I am expressly precluded from getting involved in operational matters.

In relation to the Deputy's query, the SFPA has advised as follows:

The SFPA is participating in a Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) pilot project, which is part of a larger European Union, European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA), North-Western Waters (NWW) REM initiative. REM is a technology that allows for the remote monitoring of fishing vessels, providing valuable information on fishing activity and compliance with regulative requirements, including the landing obligation.

The objective of the project is to assess the efficacy of the EFCA REM technical guidelines which are currently in place and to provide the SFPA and the fishing industry an opportunity to gain meaningful experience of the role REM will play in future fisheries management. EFCA are assisting participating Member States with the preparation of an Operational Plan for the Pilot Project.

The SFPA is not in a position to offer immunity for any suspected fisheries related offences. The vessel owner and operator must operate in line with landing obligation requirements. Attention must be paid to legal catch retention and discard practices. Any landing obligation issues detected exclusively under the scope of the REM project will be identified to the participant and, if appropriate, additional training will be provided to assist pilot project participants in attaining full compliance with the requirements of the landing obligation. Wherever necessary, enforcement action will be pursued.