Vol. 550 No. 4
129 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources his plans to subsidise boat owners who must now purchase tonnage at up to and over ?4,000 per ton in order to qualify for a licence for inshore fishing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8359/02]
All fishing vessels which are engaged in commercial sea fishing are legally required to have a sea fishing boat licence. I have introduced a new scheme to provide for the licensing and registration of small inshore fishing vessels. The scheme is open to all inshore fishermen around the coast who for various reasons have not previously applied to be registered. As a concession to the normal conditions for the licensing of fishing vessels, the scheme allows vessel owners to provide replacement capacity on a phased basis. In addition, I am seeking the approval of the European Commission for amendments to the scheme that would provide that vessel owners will only be required to provide 50% replacement capacity in respect of their vessel in the context of the creation of a new inshore segment in the fishing fleet. While I am not providing grant aid for the purchase of tonnage, I have substantially increased investment support for the inshore sector and over €2 million has been earmarked this year for initiatives for the inshore sector around the coast. These initiatives will help enhance the earning potential of inshore fishermen and support the sustainable management and development of the sector into the future.
130 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he met delegations or his colleagues in relation to the regulations announced to register small boats; the position in this regard; if the regulations will be introduced as announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8391/02]
Over the past number of months I have met and received representations from a number of delegations, which included colleagues in the Dáil in relation to the licensing and registration of vessels in the inshore sector.
As I informed the Deputy in my reply to his parliamentary question on 7 March 2002, I will be seeking the approval of the European Commission for proposed amendments to the scheme for the licensing of fishing vessels in the inshore fleet that would provide that vessel owners will only be required to provide 50% replacement capacity in respect of their vessel in the context of the creation of a new inshore segment in the fishing fleet.
