The Naval Service has recorded a dramatic fall in fishery detentions within Irish waters over the past year.
Statistics for 2002 indicate a 69 per cent reduction in detentions for alleged offences, and a 28 per cent drop in the number of warnings issued.
This was in spite of an increased level of inspection within the 200-mile economic exclusion zone. The figures, which are still "provisional" as ships will be at sea early next week, show that there was a total of 16 arrests over the year compared to 43 in 2001.
Some 112 warnings were issued, compared to 164 the previous year.
However, the Naval Service says there was a 24 per cent increase in boardings by inspection teams, totalling 1,715, and a 17 per cent increase in sightings at 2,797.
One of the last vessels to be detained was the west Cork vessel, Orion, by the LE Eithne west of the Blaskets on December 18th. It was apprehended for alleged retention of prohibited species and for being over the quota for monkfish.
Last year's total number of detentions was up 6 per cent on the previous year, while there was a 10 per cent increase in boardings.
Various theories have been offered for the significant drop in detentions.
Some industry observers have suggested that Spanish-registered and flag-of-convenience vessels - which have traditionally made up the bulk of detentions - complied with regulations in the lead-up to the controversial reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) this month.
However, a British-registered Spanish flagship detained in Irish waters in November had no paperwork whatsoever.
Information passed on by the British authorities to the Fisheries Monitoring Centre at Haulbowline, Cork, indicated that the vessel's fishing licence had been revoked. The skipper of the vessel subsequently appeared before Cork Circuit Court.
The Naval Service flag officer, Commodore Frank Lynch, said earlier this month that it was difficult to explain the drop in detentions, which had peaked at 80 to 90 annually. And he said that the Naval Service fleet would be able to cope with increased pressure in the Irish Box from January.
Investment in satellite monitoring, computerised systems and the acquisition of two new ships had made for a much more effective and efficient monitoring regime, he said.
The European Commission has promised more effective control measures under the new CFP which comes into effect on January 1st.
However, it has also said that responsibility for ensuring that CFP rules are adhered to will remain with member-states.
New enforcement measures include inspection by EU officials without necessary accompaniment by inspectors of the concerned member-state.