Ireland has the toughest fines on average for illegal fishing, but EU figures for 2001 show an overall 12 per cent increase in illegal activity throughout Community waters.
In Finland, the average fine for unauthorised fishing amounted to €84, whereas the same breach involved a fine of €12,700 in Ireland, according to the report published by the European Commission last month. The report shows a significant variation in controls across member-states - a situation the Commission wants to change under the new Common Fisheries Policy.
Member-states reported 8,139 breaches in 2001, a rise of 12 per cent on the previous year when the first report of this kind was compiled by the Commission. Almost 50 per cent of breaches were for unlawful fishing without a licence or in a prohibited area.
A significant increase in "post-landing breaches" and false entries in control documents reflected a failure to observe the rules on minimum sixes and use of unauthorised gear, the Commission notes.
Only 6,115 fines were imposed on a total of 91,462 vessels, and the average fine of €1,338 in almost 5,000 cases "hardly represents a deterrent", the Commission notes. Impounding of catches or fishing gear was rare, as was withdrawal of fishing licences.
Ireland imposed actual fines totalling €7,470 in 2001, involving some 32 cases, while Spain, with the Community's largest fleet, imposed fines totalling just €928 for 2,803 cases. France imposed fines totalling €2,483 in 35 cases.
An analysis of serious breaches for 2001 showed Spain with 3,717 such infringements, at 46 per cent; France with 372 at just 5 per cent, and Ireland with 63 or 1
per cent.