Sea Fisheries Administration

The principal functions of the Division are in the areas of sea fishing boat licensing and registration, management and development of fishery harbours and coast protection.

Specifically, its responsibilities are:

• Sea fishing boat Licensing and Registration
• Management and operation of the six Fishery Harbour Centres at Castletownbere, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs, Dingle and Rossaveel
• Administration of the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme (including management of the Fisheries and Coastal Infrastructure sub-programme of the National Development Plan, 2007 - 2013);

Registration of Sea Fishing Boats All fishing boats within the meaning of the Merchant Shipping (Registry, Lettering and Numbering of Fishing Boats) Regulations, 2005 (doc 82Kb) are required to be entered on the Register of Fishing Boats maintained by the Department in accordance with those Regulations. Only fishing boats licensed in accordance with Section 4 of the Fisheries Amendment Act 2003 (as inserted by section 97 of the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006may be entered on the Register).

Responsible for:

• the Department's 6 Fishery Harbour Centres
• the Department's capital investment programmes under the NDP for fishery harbours and coast protection.

Terms of Service

Note: Your licensing application to the Licensing Authority to perform a capacity swap needs to be received by the Licensing Authority a minimum of 10 working days prior to the expiry date of the capacity. This time window is subject to the applicant complying with all licensing conditions upon application. Non-compliance with conditions prior to and during the 10 day time window can, if unresolved, result in a delay in the licensing process and the potential loss of your capacity under the 2 year rule.

Notice 1

Attention!- Obligation of Capacity Owner to Notify Purchaser of Points or Potential Points assigned to Capacity.

In accordance with Regulation 14(2) of S.I 318/2020, as amended by S.I 590/2021, where a Sea Fishing vessel licence holder has been informed that points are proposed to be assigned, that licence holder is obliged to inform the purchasing party in writing of any proposed, or actual, sale, transfer or disposal of that vessel’s capacity. Regulation 14(3) of S.I 318/2020, as amended by S.I 590/2021, asserts that failure to comply with these obligations carries penalties.

Notice 2

Attention!- Obligation of Vessel Owner to Notify Purchaser of Points or Potential Points assigned to the vessel’s licence.

In accordance with Article 128 of Commission Regulation(404/2011) and Regulation 14(1) of S.I 318/2020, as amended by S.I 590/2021, where a fishing vessel is offered for sale or for other type of transfer of ownership, the holder of the fishing licence is obliged to inform any potential future licence holder of the number of points still assigned. Regulation 14(1) of S.I 318/2020, as amended by S.I 590/2021, asserts that failure to comply with this obligation carries penalties.

• LicensingAuthority@agriculture.gov.ie
• Administers the sea fishing boat licensing regime 2025:

Sea Fishing Boat Licence Applications 2025

• Maintains the Irish sea fishing fleet register:

Policy Directives (Ministerial Policy Directives 2003-2019)

Policy Directive 1-2019 was overturned by the Court of Appeal

• Appeals cases, Sea-Fishing Boat Licensing Appeals Officers under Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2003.