Captain of German Trawler Arrested for EU Fisheries Violations

The captain of the German factory trawler Helen Mary was recently arrested at the Port of Cork, Ireland following a law enforcement interdiction at sea. The European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) patrol vessel observed the Helen Mary in the Irish EEZ engaging in possible violations of EU fisheries law. The vessel was then diverted to the port of Cork for a more thorough inspection, with authorities suspecting multiple offenses, including concerns about the ship’s pilot ladder, a crucial safety equipment component.

Local police in Cork were informed on Monday about potential charges against the vessel’s master, who was subsequently detained under Ireland’s Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006. An investigation is currently underway to address the situation. This is not the first time the Helen Mary has faced scrutiny – in 2020, Greenpeace activists boarded the trawler off the coast of Scotland to protest its operations in UK marine protected areas. The vessel was also previously detained in a Scottish port for a fisheries-protection investigation.

Greenpeace has been advocating for stricter regulations on factory trawlers, which are known for harvesting significantly larger quantities of fish compared to other vessel types. The organization’s efforts highlight the need for greater oversight and control over the operations of these industrial fishing vessels. The ongoing developments surrounding the Helen Mary serve as a reminder of the importance of upholding fisheries laws and regulations to protect marine resources and ecosystems.

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