German Fishing Vessel Faces Charges for Fisheries Violations in Irish Waters

The German registered fishing vessel, MFV Helen Mary, is facing seven charges under Irish Sea Fisheries laws following an inspection in Irish waters. The charges include illegal equipment, non-compliant boarding manager, and non-compliant ship plans. The master of the vessel is also accused of failing to follow instructions from a Sea Fisheries protection officer. This incident adds to the controversial history of the ship, which has previously faced legal issues in 2019.

The enforcement action was taken by the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA), Ireland’s independent legal body responsible for Sea-Fisheries regulation. The SFPA raised the indictment before the district court of Cork, showing ongoing efforts to enforce maritime regulations in European waters. The MFV Helen Mary is scheduled to appear in court on April 28, 2025, with a bond payment of €425,000 ordered by the court.

This case highlights the broad regulatory authority of the SFPA, which oversees more than 2,000 Irish registered fishing vessels within the 200-mile border of Ireland. The enforcement measures are part of continuous efforts to uphold sustainable fishing practices and ensure compliance with European fishing laws in Irish waters. The MFV Helen Mary is listed as one of the “monster trawlers” by environmental organization Greenpeace, contributing to the environmental impact in the Atlantic.

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