The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority is committed to the effective and fair regulation of the Irish Sea-Fishing and Seafood Sectors.
Working in consultation with all stakeholders, and in particular with our Consultative Committee, the SFPA is strongly committed to playing its part in ensuring a strong future for the Irish Fishing Industry built on the principles of conservation, compliance and sustainability.
Careers at the SFPA
Sea-Fishery Protection Officer
Based in Castletownbere, Co. Cork
Closing Date; 5pm, 24 March 2025
Salary Scale: €40,973 - €74,172
About the Role
The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority is seeking to appoint a
Sea-Fishery Protection Officer, based in the port of Castletownbere, and create a panel for future roles.
A Sea-Fishery Protection Officer undertakes a dynamic and essential role in conserving marine resources and ensuring seafood safety. Their responsibilities span a wide range of activities, from conducting thorough inspections aboard fishing vessels and within seafood processing establishments to engaging with various seafood business premises. These officers are vital in the collection and analysis of evidence, which may include fish samples, shellfish, and other fishery products. They are also tasked with gathering formal statements, verifying crucial data like VMS (Vessel Monitoring Systems), sales notes, and logbook entries, and preparing documentation for legal proceedings against violators.
Furthermore, these officers play a critical role in the compilation and validation of fisheries statistics, regularly updating databases to reflect accurate and current information. Stationed primarily at port offices, they often serve as the initial point of contact for the public on a broad array of fisheries-related issues.
The work of a Sea-Fishery Protection Officer is carried out across various locations including ports throughout Ireland, at sea, and at land-based facilities. Their working environment is diverse, encompassing both indoor and outdoor settings, on land and at sea, making their role not only crucial but also highly varied and engaging.
Please note: The nature of this job requires regular evening and weekend work as a routine part of the job and in keeping with the nature of the industry we provide services to. Some Ports operate a two shift or three shift roster depending on business needs which may entail night work. An allowance in addition to pay is payable to cover atypical roster attendance.

SFPO Key Duties and Responsbilities
- Conducting direct inspections of fishing vessels, processing establishments, seafood business premises and other places of fisheries and marine activity to verify compliance and to detect non-compliance with Sea-Fisheries and Seafood safety legislation.
- Taking appropriate follow-up action following these inspection activities such as writing reports, preparation of case files, inputting data into databases of inspection activity, compilation of written statements or attending court to act as a witness for the prosecution.
- Collecting, verifying, and inputting fisheries statistics in a timely and accurate manner.
- Attending meetings or meeting with individuals to provide technical input on matters related to fisheries conservation, food safety and fisheries statistics or to advise groups or individuals on these matters or matters related to the policy of the Authority.
- Collecting samples of shellfish, fishery products and fish to sampling specification at shellfish production sites, fish processing establishments, auction halls and fishing vessels and ensuring the delivery of these samples in a suitable condition to conduct the analysis intended.
Essential Requirements:
Candidates, on the closing date for this competition, must hold a minimum qualification of a National Diploma Level 7 in a discipline relevant to the work of the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority, for example qualifications providing competency in marine, fisheries, food or environmental sciences or qualifications related to data management/analytics including IT or Statistics or qualifications related to law, enforcement and associated disciplines.

In addition to the minimum qualification entry requirement candidates must also have:
- Excellent Planning and Organisation ability
- Excellent communication and administration skills
- Fluent spoken and written English is absolutely essential
- Strong IT capability
- Full driving licence
Who are the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority?
Founded in 2006, the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) is Ireland's key agency for safeguarding sea-fisheries and ensuring seafood safety. It plays a vital role in enforcing compliance with legislation, promoting the sustainable use of marine resources, and guaranteeing that consumers worldwide enjoy high-quality Irish seafood.
The SFPA's diverse responsibilities encompass preventing illegal fishing, validating exports for Ireland's expanding market, and conducting inspections and audits within the seafood sector. As the Competent Authority, it classifies shellfish production areas based on water quality, adhering to European food regulations, and collaborates with the Marine Institute on the National Marine Biotoxin Monitoring programme.
The SFPA's headquarters is situated in the National Seafood Centre in Clonakilty, a lively seaside town in West Cork, easily accessible from Cork City. Celebrated as the UK and Ireland’s Best Town in 2017 at the Urbanism Awards, Clonakilty is renowned for its exceptional food producers and restaurants.
What We Do: Core Activities
SFPA Mission & Vision
Our Vision
To be an effective regulator enforcing sea-fisheries and seafood safety law, supporting sustainable fishing, ensuring safe seafood for consumers and enabling Irish Seafood Trade.
Our Mission
The SFPA is committed to the application of sea-fisheries and seafood safety law which underpins Sea-Fisheries sustainability and safe Irish seafood for consumers both at home and abroad
Our Values
- Integrity
- Independence
- Impartiality
- Innovation
- Inclusivity
I'll guide you to amazing places
SFPA'S Commitment
In support of the mission and vision statements, the SFPA is committed to ensuring:
- The effective and fair regulation of the sea-fishing and seafood sectors that fall within our mandate. This means all fishing vessels operating within Ireland’s 200-mile limit, Irish fishing vessels wherever they operate, and all seafood produced in Ireland wherever it is marketed.
- That our stakeholders have the utmost trust and confidence in the integrity, quality, and efficiency of our operations and our effective contribution to the delivery of the shared vision for the marine resources surrounding Ireland.
- The application of the law in a fair, consistent, and sensible manner, treating people with impartiality, transparency, and respect, whether large operators or small.
- That we innovate continuously to simplify processes and improve effectiveness and build partnerships and consultation mechanisms with all our stakeholders to work successfully towards the achievement of our common goals.
Benefits of working at the SFPA
Once you are part of the SFPA team, you will benefit from a wide range of benefits and initiatives to support employees including:
- Blended Working/Hybrid Remote Working (based on business needs and the suitability of the role)
- Learning and Development Opportunities
- Educational assistance
- Family friendly policies
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Healthy Work-life balance
- Attractive annual leave allowance
- Bike to work scheme
- Seasonal flu vaccine
- Wellness Initiatives
- Dynamic Work Environment
Candidate Data Protection Statement
The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA), as the Data Controller has created this notice to outline the manner in which personal data will be handled and processed in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This data protection notice sets out the basis on which the SFPA will process your personal data in the recruitment process.
Legal basis for processing data
The SFPA will carry out all procedures necessary to undertake the recruitment, assessment and selection of suitable candidates for appointment to the SFPA.
Purposes of processing and categories of data
Your personal data will be used for all stages of the recruitment process. The information we process is used to:
- to assess eligibility for a specific competition
- to assess suitability for the role
- to determine whether the candidate meets the required shortlisting criteria
- to aid the selection board in the assessment or interview if applicable.
Categories of personal data
For the purposes of recruitment, you provide personal data directly to us, however we also receive personal data about you from external sources such as referees, or recruitment services providers such as Conscia.
We will collect, store and use the following information in order to process your application to work with us:
- ID Documents
- Contact details
- Previous employment details
- Qualifications
- Fitness to work details
- Application form
- Right to work details
Special categories of personal data
Certain special categories of personal data may be processed in the recruitment process. This is to allow us to fulfil our statutory obligations under the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015 and the Disability Act 2005.
Disclosure of your personal data
We will share your personal data with third parties in the following circumstances:
- where we are obliged to do so to comply with a legal or regulatory obligation
- where the data on your application form is being reviewed by the selection board members as part of the recruitment and selection process
- where a third-party processor acting on the Authority’s behalf is employed to carry out aptitude tests as part of the recruitment process.
A data processing agreement is in place with Conscia Recruitment for the provision of recruitment services to the SFPA.
Any transfers to third countries and the safeguards in place. Your personal data is hosted within the EEA for the purposes of recruitment.
Retention period
As part of the SFPA’s data retention policy, data relating to unsuccessful candidates will be retained for 18 months from the establishment of the applicable panel. The details of successful candidates, not assigned from a panel, will be held for one year after the panel has expired.
Details of candidates who have been assigned will be held for the length of their employment plus seven years.
Further information
If you have any queries you can write to us at sfpadataprotectionofficer@sfpa.ie or Data Protection Officer, Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, National Seafood Centre, Clogheen, Clonakilty, County Cork.