Nora Owen
Question:34 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for the Marine the effects the new EU licensing system will have on Irish fishing vessels; if the licence will include a fishing permit; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - New EU Fishing Vessel Licence.
Seán Barrett
Question:83 Mr. Barrett asked the Minister for the Marine the effects the new EU licensing system will have on Irish fishing vessels; if the licence will include a fishing permit; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Oral Question No. 34 and Written Question No. 83 together.
The Council of Fisheries Ministers adopted at their December meeting a new Regulation which establishes a Community system governing the issue of licences for fishing vessels and the minimum information to be contained in licences. This new system will apply from 1 January 1995. The purpose of this regulation is to bring a degree of uniformity into the general licensing system in the Community and to standardise, at a minimum level, the amount and presentation of the information contained in licences. The underlying aim is to improve control of the Community's fishing fleet. As a member state with a large fisheries zone to control, I support measures which will improve our ability to monitor fishing activity in that zone.
Under the new system all vessels in the Community will have to be licensed and carry the licence on board. A member state may, however, by derogation exempt boats of less than ten metres from the obligation to carry the licence on board where those boats operate exclusively within the maritime jurisdiction of that member state.
The licence will have to include certain minimum information in relation to the vessel such as registered number, tonnage, engine capacity and the fleet category assigned to the vessel under the Community's multi-annual guidance programme for the fleet.
The implementation of this will mean that, whereas at present only fishing vessels in the Irish fleet over 65 feet in length are required to hold a licence, as and from 1 January 1996 every vessel in the Irish fishing fleet will be required to have a fishing licence.
It will also require a redesign and standardisation of the format of fishing licences. Plans to introduce the new system are being developed and will be discussed with the fishing industry in the context of the ongoing development of licensing policy generally.
The Council has also discussed the question of the introduction of a further permit type licensing system whereby fishing vessels with specific restrictions on their activities such as pressure stock licences would be subject to a general Community licensing framework. The Council is to decide on this matter by the end of 1994. I have an open mind on the matter, particularly as the introduction of such permits could be particularly important in the context of any changes in the present controls which apply to the Spanish fleet.
Will the Minister outline his view on the fishing permit and how it will affect Irish fishermen? I understand the Minister did not adopt a position at the last meeting of the Council of Ministers but perhaps he will confirm the matter was discussed and the position he intends to take. Is it true that a decision on the matter has been deferred to the next meeting? If that is the case, the Minister should clearly outline his position and the reasons.
The matter was discussed to a certain extent. My position is, was, and will be that the permit must not be complicated and that it must be easily understood, succinct, pithy and to the point. As I see it — and I have expressed my concern on this before — layers of bureaucracy are beginning to creep into the fishing fleet, not only the Irish fishing fleet but the European Union fleet. New licences, new permits and new regulations are about to be introduced which will cause more harm than good. I want to examine the situation to see whether it is to the advantage of Irish fishermen which is my utmost concern.
How does the Minister envisage permits will be enforced? It is all very well to bring in a system of permits but it makes a laughing stock to introduce controls if they cannot be enforced, as we see in relation to the behaviour of the Spanish fishing vessels.
Presumably a maritime protection vessel will ask to see the permit but if the permit is not available quite simply questions are asked. It is the same as any licensing system.
What is the purpose of the permit? Is it a provision to restrict access of non-European Union fishing fleets to European Union waters or is it a means whereby there is control of European Union fleets within European Union waters so that their location, capacity to fish and so on can be monitored and regulated?
The Deputy is quite right.
I presume the Minister is aware that the proposed introduction of this system has frightened the lives out of Irish fishermen as they fish for so many different species, depending on the season, that they would find it extraordinarily difficult to manage a permit system. When the Spaniards and French fish in our waters they primarily fish for hake but Irish fishermen are all-rounders and might fish for 20 or 30 different species during the year. The permit system is a source of fear among fishermen because they feel it will curtail their activities. Will the Minister allay their fears?
The issue of whether the fishing permit will be incorporated in the licence is still a matter under discussion with the Commission. The permit will set out the fishing activities in which the vessel will be authorised to engage. I can understand the Deputy's point of view and I would not wish to frighten the life out of anybody. The licensing system was raised and I expressed concern that it was another layer of bureaucracy. The permit would be incorporated in the licence, presumably, but the situation is still up in the air. I will take account of the Deputy's views.
How is it proposed to verify the type of fish trawlers can fish for? As Deputy Deasy stated, Irish fishermen can fish for different species each week, for example they might fish for mackerel this week and pelagic fish the following week. How is it proposed to license that?
I am very conscious that some fishermen will feel that the proposals relating to the categorisation of licensing of a fleet would, if implemented, impact on the rights they have exercised over the years. I assure them and the Deputy that this will not be the case. One of the objectives of the present criteria is to ensure that no fisherman will be prevented from continuing with the fishing activity he or she has practised over recent years. The categories chosen are broad and many boats will fall into multiple categories.
I would not like to see hardship. Things are difficult enough for the fishing fleet and, given what Deputy Deasy said in relation to some sections of the fishing fleet not being able to get out for some three months, we would not wish to add to their difficulties. I will make the position as clear and simple as possible.