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The SFPA has issued an important notice on fishing arrangements with the UK starting from 23:00hrs on 31 December 2020
From 23:00 GMT 31 December 2020, with the end of the transition period for UK Departure from the EU, both UK vessels and UK EFZ cease to be part of the EU. Reciprocal fishing activity can only take place on basis of authorisations issued in under the terms of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation agreement.
Accordingly, the only Irish vessels which may fish within the UK EFZ from 23:00 on 31 December 2020, are those which possess a specific authorisation to do so.
These authorisations are issued by DAFM. Any Irish vessel currently fishing in UK EFZ, which has not received such an authorisation, either through its PO or from DAFM, should cease fishing activity in that area. In cases where it is thought that a fishing vessel has been omitted from the list in error the relevant PO should be contacted.
If an Irish vessel, has set passive gear in UK EFZ and is without authorisation it should withdraw from the area, and not return to work with nor retrieve the gear until necessary UK-access authorisation is secure.
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Similarly, the only UK vessels which may continue or begin to fish within the Irish EFZ, are those which possess a specific authorisation to do so, issued by UK Fishery Authorities. Any UK vessel currently fishing in Irish EFZ, which has not received such an authorisation, , should cease fishing activity in that area. If a UK vessel, has set passive gear in Irish EFZ and is without authorisation, it should withdraw from the area, and not return to work with nor retrieve the gear until necessary EU-access authorisation is secured.
For whatever reason, where a vessel does not have an authorisation to fish in a Third Country EFZ (for Irish vessels this includes UK waters), it cannot fish there.
Authorisations which allow access in 12-200nM zone should not be construed to allow access to 6-12 Zone.
