The SFPA was established under the provisons of the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 and is Ireland's competent authority for Seafood Safety and Sea-Fisheries Protection.   The SFPA’s mission is:

 “To apply sea fisheries conservation legislation and seafood safety legislation fairly and consistently in accordance with the provisions of the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006, and to promote compliance with the law co-operatively with sea-fisheries and seafood sectors and other relevant interests,  with the overall objective of ensuring that the marine fish and shellfish resources from the waters in Ireland's EEZ are exploited legally and consumed safely for the long term benefit of all.”

Based in Clonakilty, County Cork, the SFPA has a number of offices in the major ports around the coast, at Killybegs, Ros a’ Mhíl, An Daingean, Castletownbere, Dunmore East and Howth