Fisherman in Kerry told judge a conviction for catching undersize bass ‘could destroy my life’
The KerrymanA man has told a Kerry judge he feared his catch of an undersize sea bass could destroy his life by jeopardising his residency status.
Luis Robert Kabrera of The Presbytery, Annascaul, pleaded guilty to the undersize catch before Judge Carol Anne Coolican at Dingle District Court on Friday.
Mr Kabrera was charged with catching and keeping a sea bass that measured less than 40 cm ‘from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail’. He was further charged with keeping or handling the sea bass in violation of EU regulations.
Mr Kabrera was approached by a fisheries officer when fishing with a line and rod at Ferriter’s Cove, Ballyferriter, on December 31, 2025.
“There are very strict regulations in relation to sea bass because they are an endangered species,” said a representative for Inland Fisheries Ireland.
Mr Kabrera asked the judge not to convict him, raising concerns it could affect his Irish residency.
“I honestly thought this fish was a good size and I could take it,” he said.
Presenting letters from his employer and his community, he explained he worked full-time and lived with his children in Annascaul.
He added: “I’m very worried that a conviction would destroy my life.”
This type of conviction is not uploaded to the system that determines residency status, said the fisheries representative.
“He was cooperative, judge, there is no question there,” he added.
Judge Coolican convicted and fined him €200, and directed he provide €150 for legal costs.