A Spanish "flagship" detained by the Naval Service is alleged to have been carrying 20 times more fish than had been recorded in its logbook.
The 95 ft Pesorsa Uno was apprehended by the LE Ciara for alleged logbook infringements 73 miles west of Dingle Bay yesterday and escorted into Castletownbere, Co Cork.
Irish vessels over 55 ft can catch a tonne of monkfish a week, while vessels under that length can catch half a tonne. The detention brings to 25 the total of fishing vessels detained by the Naval Service this year.
The Pesorsa Uno is registered in Milford Haven and is one of some 150 Spanish "flagships" on the British register working mainly in Irish waters.
The flagship issue is expected to feature at the EU intergovernmental conference next month. The new British government, like the outgoing administration, has promised to hold up the IGC if the problem is not addressed.