Spanish vessel with "secret hold" arrested before

THE Spanish ship detained by the Naval Service this week with an alleged "secret hold" was not only - arrested for a similar offence three years ago - it was also the subject of an ITV documentary.

The British registered Spanish vessel, Juan Mari, earned a European reputation in 1993 when a secret hold on the ship was filmed by the ITV Cook Report team in the Basque port of Ondarroa.

The television team was subjected to intimidation on foot of its efforts to highlight a practice first exposed by this State's Naval Service in 1992, and a copy of the programme was given to the European Commission by the British government.

The vessel was also boarded by the LE Orla in 1993. However, a different secret compartment was identified then - for storing undersized or over quota fish or other substances - according to Lieut Cmmdr Liam Donaldson of the LE Aisling, which carried out this week's detention.

This latest apprehension, 30 miles west of the Blaskets, followed a two hour search by the Naval Service boarding party to uncover a secret compartment within the fuel tank area at the vessel's stern.

There were no fish, but under the legislation it is still an offence to have an incorrect capacity plan. Fishing gear with illegal "blinders" was also discovered.

Described by the LE Aisling skipper as "ingenious", the secret hold was the first discovered since this State multiplied the fine for "secret holds" or incorrect capacity plans to a maximum of £200,000 two years ago - a move which was thought to have acted as sufficient deterrent.

The amendments were prompted by a record year for "secret hold" identification, with 15 cases recorded by the Naval Service in 1993.

Mr Donal O'Driscoll, chairman of the Irish South and West Fishermen's Organisation, told The Irish Times last night his members were "very concerned" at the arrest, given the past history of this vessel.

"We are told that there is going to be greater control within European waters, yet the same vessel is caught for the same alleged offence twice over, in spite of increased penalties.

"We are the ones who are suffering, because it is our fish - undersized and over quota - which are being caught," Mr O'Driscoll said. "This vessel is permitted to fish within 12 miles of our territorial limit. Has it always had a secret hold aboard somewhere, even since it was first exposed? Did any EU officials check to see if it did?"

The detention was the 31st carried out by the Naval Service this year.