The Navy detained an Irish fishing boat off the coast of Cork yesterday and will hand it over to gardaí later today.
High-speed patrol vessel LE Ciara intercepted the fishing boat at about midnight, 30 nautical miles south of Ballycotton, Co Cork.
It was later escorted to Cobh where it arrived this morning.
The boat was detained in connection with an alleged breach of technical fishing regulations.
This is the 12th vessel the Naval Service has detained during 2012, which is a 33.3 per cent rise on last year's overall figures.
Defence Forces spokesman apt Pat O'Connor said Naval Service and Air Corps personnel are patrolling Irish waters around the clock "protecting an industry that is worth around €3.2 billion to the Exchequer, annually."
The Naval Service is responsible for policing 15 per cent of EU waters, ensuring that fishing boats adhere to strict regulations concerning the number and types of fish caught, and equipment used.