An Cosantóir

28 Irelands Fisheries Monitoring Centre (FMC) is located on Haulbowline Island, Co Cork and is a designated EU Co- ordination Centre in Charge (CCIC) for multi-national fishery protection operations and operates 24/7/365. European Union (EU) fisheries legislation requires EU maritime states to operate an FMC for management of fisheries activity in waters under their jurisdiction. The FMC monitors all foreign and Irish fishing vessels equipped with a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) in the Irish 200 nautical mile EEZ. In addition, the FMC monitors all Irish vessels globally. The FMC also carries out monitoring and surveillance of all fishing vessels that are operating in the waters of the North East Atlantic Fisheries Confederation (NEAFC) adjacent to Irish waters. The FMC co-ordinates Western Waters pelagic fisheries operations and also co-ordinates multi-national Joint Deployment Plans where several EU Member States deploy ships and inspectors to a particular fishery such as Cod or pelagic. The FMC acts as the designated point of contact for fishing vessels operating in Irish waters. Fisheries information collated by the FMC and is distributed to Naval Service, Air Corps and the SFPA. What we do… Surface monitoring, control and surveillance of Irish exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Surface monitoring, control and surveillance within Other Member States exclusive economic zones during Joint Deployment Programmes (JDP) and Article 80 inspections. Tasking of the aerial component (CASA) of fishery protection. Monitoring of Vessel Monitoring System reports from IRL, OMS and 3rd Country vessels in IRL EEZ and NEAFC. Monitoring of VMS reports from IRL vessels globally. IRELANDS FISHERIES MONITORING CENTRE Monitoring of entry and exit to any maritime areas where specific rules on access or control apply within the IRL EEZ & NEAFC. Monitoring of ERS reports from OMS and 3rd Country vessels operating in IRL EEZ and from IRL vessels wherever they may be. The Port State Control (PSC) role has increased almost 700% post BREXIT. Receipt of non ERS effort reporting and hail notifications from fishermen and their distribution to SFPA Port Offices. Conducting risk-based inspections at sea based on agreed criteria set out in the control plan using all relevant open and closed information sources. Assisting fishing vessels with ERS Fail Over procedures. Providing personnel and evidentiary material for court cases as is necessary. Ensuring accurate and current briefing material is provided at meetings which have consequences for Fishery Protection operations at sea. Supporting Policy - SFPA (Clonakilty) & EFCA (Vigo Spain) Co-ordination Centre In Charge (CCIC) for Joint Deployment Plans (JDPs) in Western Waters Profiling and analyzing the activity of fishing fleets within the Irish EEZ and more importantly as a direct result of BREXIT. Fishery Protection Activity v Irish Naval Service depart a fishing vessel after an inspection back in August 2013 By Lt (NS) Gillian Power Photos provided by DF Flickr

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