Working Conditions Aboard the Fv-Puenteareas-Uno

In a significant ruling on November 25, the Spanish master of the fishing vessel 'Puenteareas Uno' received a €10,000 fine and was mandated to forfeit €35,000 linked to the value of the vessel's catch and equipment. This decision was rendered at the Cork Circuit Criminal Court, where the master acknowledged his guilt concerning breaches of the Landing Obligation regulations. The charges emerged following an inspection conducted by the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) patrol vessel 'Ocean Guardian' in the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone on October 15. This inspection prompted the immediate detention of the vessel at Castletownbere, with support from SFPA officers and An Garda Síochána. During the inspection, authorities observed crew members discarding various fish species back into the ocean using a discards belt, an action deemed illegal under current fishing regulations. The court emphasized the imperative for compliance among vessel operators and masters with sea-fishing laws, highlighting the critical importance of the Landing Obligation rules in maintaining sustainable fishing practices. The ruling serves as a stern reminder that violating these regulations not only harms fish populations but also jeopardizes the future of the fishing industry. The cooperation exhibited among the investigating officers from EFCA, SFPA, and An Garda Síochána received notable praise in the court's remarks.

On October 15, 2025, the Irish Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) confirmed the detention of the trawler 'Puenteareas Uno' while it was operating in Irish waters. The vessel, hailing from Ribeira, formerly registered in Vigo, faced scrutiny during an inspection conducted by SFPA and the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA). Investigators discovered that the crew had failed to retain their catch on board, leading to allegations of fish discarding. Following a trial on October 17, 2025, a bail amounting to €130,000 was mandated for the release of the vessel. The shipowner swiftly complied, and the trawler was permitted to resume its operations. In a remarkable turn of events, upon re-entering fishing grounds, the 'Puenteareas Uno' carried out a heroic rescue on October 22, saving the crew of the sinking trawler 'Radoche Tercero'. The rescue operation concluded successfully, with all nine crew members transported back to the port of Castletownbere safely at around 5 p.m. For further details and visuals of this astounding rescue, visit this link: https://www.farodevigo.es/fotos/mar/2025/10/22/rescatan-nueve-espanoles-hundimiento-arrastrero-radoche-tercero-122902343.html#foto=5