Fishery Protection 
The Naval Service is tasked with patrolling the Irish Economic Zone, an area of approximately 132,000 square miles or 16% of the total EU sea fisheries.  This represents almost five times the land area of Ireland and encompasses perhaps one of the most productive fisheries in the world.  It is an area of great economic importance not only to Ireland but to the whole European Union.  Whilst all roles are important the majority of effort is allotted to fishery protection.  Annually, the Naval Service boards and carries out thorough inspections on several hundred fishing vessels.  For example, in 1995, 928 fishing vessels were boarded and inspected.  Of these, 79 vessels were issued warnings and 51 were detained. 

To assist in this highly important role and to assist in the effective implementation of European and national fisheries regulations, the Naval Service established the Naval Supervisory Centre as a national recording centre for sea fisheries. 

The Naval Supervisory Centre (N.S.C.) in Haulbowline is the national recording centre for Sea Fisheries.  It supervises and co-ordinates all matters concerning fishery matters that are within the Naval Service’s area of responsibility.  In addition, it keeps Naval Command fully briefed on current activity, trends and development in sea fisheries.  To assist the NSC & Ships in the role of fishery protection, the Naval Service has developed a number of software packages as follows: 
- Fishery Data Base 
The fishery database stores information on all fishing vessels operating off our coast.  Details stored include fishing vessel characteristics, registration & licence particulars, owners, skippers, sightings, hoarding, position/activity reports, catch activity reports, warnings and detention. 
- Fisheries Legislation Expert System (FL.E.S.): 
This system was devised to assist the ships to correctly interpret complex fishery law.  In a live scenario at sea, the ship’s onboard computers supplies accurate, up to date legal information to the ship’s captain. 
- Naval Service Geographical Information System (N.S.G.I.S.): 
This system incorporates a visual screen display of all fishing vessel positions and activity recorded in the data base.  This system is utilised to give fisheries briefs to Naval Command and ship’s officers, to assist planning, and to analyses seasonal, EU national, and species fishing effort. 

The above information packages are maintained and kept up to date by NSC staff.  Ship’s computers are constantly updated by Satellite link.  Further projects in hand include a pilot project in the satellite monitoring of fishing vessels (LIRSAT).  If fully developed and approved by the EU, real time monitoring of fishing vessels can be implemented. 

Drugs Interdiction 
The Naval Service regularly co-operates with Gardai and Customs and Excise in this area.  Drugs interdiction is now an integral part of our operational profile.  In recent years the Naval Service has been directly involved in major drug seizures at sea, including a seizure of Cannabis Resin worth £20 million in July 1993 off the South West Coast.  It was at that time, by far the largest seizure in the history of the State.  To date, the Naval Service has acted in support of the Gardai and Customs and Excise in drug operations.  In the near future, legislation will be passed to enable Naval Officers to act as Drug Enforcement Officers.  This development will greatly enhance the Service’s contribution to drug enforcement as it will allow a Naval ship to carry out Customs Officials onboard.  However, such future operations will not be unilateral but will operate under the command structure of a new Joint Task Force involving the Naval Service, Gardai and Customs and Excise. 

Maritime Safety 
The Naval Service frequently assists other agencies in the area of search and rescue.  Ships at sea and the communications centre at Haulbowline maintain a 24hr watch on all distress frequencies.  Naval ships at sea are ever ready to respond to distress calls. 

Diving Operations 
The Naval Base at Haulbowline houses a highly professional diving unit which, in additional to its routine roles, assists civil authorities in a range of activities such as body searches both inland and at sea.  The Diving unit’s operations include: 
- Underwater Ordnance Disposal 
- Surverys and ships hull maintenance 
- Body searches 
- Operation of the re-compression chamber 
(located in Haulbowline) 

Pollution Control 
The Naval Service’s role in this area may be summarized as follows: 
- Monitoring and reporting of pollution for Irish Marine Emergency Service (IMES) 
- IMES may call on Naval Service to assist in clearing up of pollution 
- The Naval Service will be empowered to enforce Regulations pertaining to Dumping to Sea 

UNIFIL Support 
The Naval Service carries out Resupply Missions each year to Lebanon to resupply Irish troops serving with UNIFIL.  Such missions are also an integral part of Cadet and Young Officer professional training in astronomical and general navigation.