Patrick D. Harte
Question:44 Mr. Harte asked the Minister for the Marine the size of the Irish pelagic fishing fleet. [2666/94]
Written Answers. - Pelagic Fishing Fleet.
The current capacity of the Irish pelagic fishing fleet is 15,256 GRT and 37,756 KW. This figure does not take account of the MFV "Veronica" (capacity 4,034 grt and 4,849.65 kw) which is in the process of being replaced.
The pelagic fleet is made up of two elements:—
(i) the Refrigerated Salt Water (RSW) tank boat fleet which fishes exclusively for herring, mackerel and other pelagic species: and
(ii) the dry-hold pelagic fleet which fishes for herring and mackerel during the winter and spring fisheries and which fishes for other species during the summer months.
The capacity of the RSW tank boat fleet is 12,230 GRT and 25,402 KW. The total capacity of the dry hold pelagicdemersal fleet is 8,673 GRT and 35,481 KW of which 3,026 GRT and 12,354 KW would be appropriate to the pelagic sector.