The Chairman of the Federation of Irish Fishermen has said fishermen are being penalised by 'a minefield of legislation.'
Michael Walsh claimed fishermen are being pursued like criminals and risk prosecution for trying to make a living
There is a huge level of anger in the fishing industry which has not decreased since the inclusion of fishing offences in the Criminal Justice Bill.
Other European countries apply penalties under an administrative system, but the Government here decided to make fishing offences criminal.
That led to strong protests and the umbrella organisation for all fishing organisations has raised the issue again.
It has put a document with proposals to the Government, pointing out that, faced with what he described as a 'minefield of legislation' coming from the EU, fishermen can find themselves with a criminal record that affects their entire lives for minor fishing offences.
Mr Walsh said that this was now an issue at the top of the agenda for the FIF because it was a disgraceful way to treat men living in coastal areas, trying to earn a living in a tough, dangerous occupation, who were treated in a deplorable way that was a travesty of justice.
