Written Answers. - Fishing Licences.
Austin Deasy
Question:
46
Mr. Deasy
asked the
Minister for the Marine
if he is in a position to outline if additional fishing licences will be granted in the near future; and whether the EC have been requested to provide Ireland with additional tonnage for fishing boats.
I have outlined to the House on a number of occasions the background to national sea fishing boat licensing policy.
The principal feature of current licensing policy is that, with the exception of applications relating to vessels engaged in aquaculture or bivalve fishing, applicants must demonstrate that they are in a position to withdraw an amount of active tonnage and horsepower from the register equivalent to the tonnage and horsepower of their new vessel. In addition they must be able to meet other criteria covering, for example, areas such as the safety and seaworthiness of vessels, crew qualifications and the economic and social benefits accruing from their proposals.
Applications which meet the requirements of current licensing policy are being processed on a continuing basis.
On 18 July last I announced a special scheme to accommodate the entry of about 20 specialised large all-weather whitefish boats into the fleet. The purpose of this scheme is to exploit hitherto underutilised whitefish quotas off the west coast. The principal feature of the scheme is that successful applicants will be able, should they so wish, to provide the required replacement on a phased basis over a five-year period. Licences granted under the scheme will include restrictions in relation to the areas of operation and the species that can be fished. The closing date initially set for applications under this scheme was 1 August 1991 but on foot of representations from the industry this was extended to 1 October last.
Applications received are currently being considered by my Department. Additional information is required in most cases and this is at present being sought from the applicants, with a deadline of 25 November 1991. As soon as this information is available and has been processed I would aim to take decisions very quickly on the granting of licences to the successful applicants.
In the context of Ireland's submission to the Commission on the new multi-annual guidance programme for the fleet and discussions on next year's review of the Common Fisheries Policy, a strong and reasoned case for a significant relaxation of the present restrictions on Irish fleet capacity has been made. In seeking further scope for development and a tangible recognition of the special needs of our industry, we have sought Commission agreement to the addition of, at minimum, 5,000 tonnes to our fishing boat register. Discussions with the Commission in this regard are ongoing and it may be some months yet before we know the outcome.
