BC FISH IRELAND/Three foreign fishing vessels detained in Ireland

DUBLIN, April 11 (Reuter) The skippers of three foreign trawlers, two of them of Spanish origin, were due in court in Ireland on Tuesday in the latest twist to a bitter international dispute about alleged Spanish overfishing.

The vessels were seized after random spot checks over the last two days and a further 48 hour detention order was made at a special sitting of Buncrana District Court on Monday.

The fishermen were suspected of exceeding their quotas and held while their catches were verified against record books they are obliged to carry under EU regulations.

Police said at least two of the vessels were thought to have exceeded the amount of fish they are allowed to take under EU regulations, but full details were not immediately available.

Seven vessels have been apprehended since April 4 by the Irish Naval Service, in co operation with the Air Corps, as Ireland prepares to give broader access to European Union vessels in its waters later this year.

Six were of Spanish origin or flying the Spanish flag.

Irish fishermen, like Canada's, complain the huge Spanish fleet will decimate Irish stocks unless it is strictly controlled and they are calling for coastal authorities to monitor the size of their nets and their catches.

Canada seized a Spanish trawler, the Estai, outside its waters last month, triggering a continuing row with the EU.

Although Ireland condemned Canada's seizure of the ship, minister for defence and the marine Hugh Coveney has said Ireland sympathises with Canada on the issue of conservation.

Bail bonds were being secured on Monday for the British registered Spanish vessel Lady Laura and the Irish registered Spanish vessel Skellig Light, both detained 60 miles (96 kilometres) north west of Eagle Island, Co Mayo, off the northwest of the Irish Republic.

On Sunday, the British vessel Mercurius was seized inside the 12 mile (19 kilometre) limit off the Waterford Coast on the southern flank of the country and escorted to Dunmore East.

Police said they expected the skippers to be released on bond and to return for court proceedings later this year.

If found guilty, each could face fines of up to a quarter of a million Irish pounds ($400,000) although the usual fine is around 30,000 pounds ($50,000).