asked the Minister for the Marine if he will give details of the extent of checks carried out on derated engines of fishing vessels to ensure that the law is complied with; the number of inspectors who are involved and when a check was last carried out in each of our major fishing ports, including Kilmore Quay, County Wexford; the results of such checks or inspections; and if he accepts that regular checking inhibits violations of the law.
Written Answers. - Fishing Vessel Engine Checks.
136.
At the time of registration, each vessel is surveyed and certain details, including engine power are verified by one of the three engineering surveyors attached to my Department. These details are entered onto the official Certificate of Registry and the owner is obliged to notify the relevant Registrar of Shipping of any changes.
The only restriction, applicable to fishing boats relating to derated engines is contained in an EC Regulation which prohibits fishing within 12 nautical miles of baselines by means of beam trawls by vessels with engine power greater than 221 kilowatts; in the case of derated engines, the engine power prior to derating may not have been over 300 kilowatts. This restriction applies to vessels which entered service before 1 January 1987. Such measures are checked on an ongoing basis as part of normal monitoring and control operations. Such checks inhibit violations of the law.