Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Apr 2000

Vol. 517 No. 3

Written Answers. - Fishing Vessels.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

92 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the number of vessels entitled to fish, either whole-time or part-time, by way of beam trawling; and the name and registered number of each vessel. [9780/00]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Fahey)

The beam trawler segment of the Irish fishing fleet contains the following six vessels:

Vessel	Registration Number
Avontuur	WD 148
Branding	WD 143
Marrie Jacob	D 141
Muriel Grace	D 92
Newgrange	D 489
Silver Harvest	D 88

While vessels in this fleet segment are subject under MAGP IV parameters to overall limitations on their fishing effort, there are no restrictions on the proportion of their fishing time which may be spent fishing by means of beam trawls.

There are also a number of vessels in the polyvalent segment of the fleet which are not precluded by the terms of their sea fishing boat licences from fishing by means of beam trawls, or which are permitted to engage in beam trawling for a proportion of their fishing time. Quantification of the number of vessels involved is under way by my Department as part of a comprehensive analysis of beam trawl entitlements within the polyvalent segment to be completed by mid year.