1925

Targeting poachers

The employment of only one boat to patrol the southern and western seaboard with the object of keeping out English and French trawler-poachers was the subject of comment at the meeting of the Galway Harbour Board on Tuesday, and it was decided to represent to the Government the necessity of providing more boats.

From time-to-time attention has been called to the destruction wrought to the fishing industry by foreign trawlers entering our territorial waters

In Galway the fishing industry has almost disappeared as a result of the poachers’ depredations. Fines do not appear to be a deterrent and the reason is easily explained.

The poachers’ catches in a single night are often value for a few thousand pounds, and they can well afford to take risks when the penalty is often only £10 to £50. The only remedy to keep poachers out is more boats to patrol the coast, and the threat of discharging a twelve-pounder amidships when the poachers show themselves.

Pictured: Taking a break at the Christmas Market in Galway City on December 15, 1975.