Reference for a preliminary ruling from the Court of Appeal (Ireland) made on 13 February 2020 — K. M. v Director of Public Prosecutions

(Case C-77/20)

(2020/C 137/53)

Language of the case: English

Referring court

Court of Appeal

Parties to the main proceedings

Appellant: K. M.

Respondent: Director of Public Prosecutions

Question referred

In the context of the implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy and of the provisions of Article 32 of Council Regulation (EC) No 850/1998 (1), and in the context of a criminal prosecution taken to enforce the provisions thereof, is a provision of National law which provides on conviction on indictment, in addition to a fine, for the mandatory forfeiture of all fish and all fishing gear found on board the boat to which the offence relates, compatible with the provisions of Council Regulation (EC) 1224/2009 (2), and specifically Articles 89 and 90 thereof, and the principle of proportionality under the treaties of the European Union and Article 49(3) of the Charter of Fundamental Rights?

(1)  Council Regulation (EC) No 850/98 of 30 March 1998 for the conservation of fishery resources through technical measures for the protection of juveniles of marine organisms (OJ 1998, L 125, p. 1).

(2)  Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 of 20 November 2009 establishing a Community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the common fisheries policy, amending Regulations (EC) No 847/96, (EC) No 2371/2002, (EC) No 811/2004, (EC) No 768/2005, (EC) No 2115/2005, (EC) No 2166/2005, (EC) No 388/2006, (EC) No 509/2007, (EC) No 676/2007, (EC) No 1098/2007, (EC) No 1300/2008, (EC) No 1342/2008 and repealing Regulations (EEC) No 2847/93, (EC) No 1627/94 and (EC) No 1966/2006 (OJ 2009, L 343, p. 1).