Vol. 551 No. 2
127 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if, in the case that a boat was originally registered with his Department, the boat would have to be registered in order to retains its tonnage registered or if the registration would remain at all times in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10133/02]
A fishing boat register was established under the Merchant Shipping (Registry, Lettering and Numbering of Fishing Boats) Regulations 1989 (S.I. No. 344 of 1989), which required all existing fishing vessels to apply to be registered on the new register by 15 June 1990. The establishment of the register was widely publicised in the fishing industry and the media in 1989. Registered owners of fishing vessels were advised, in writing, that they were required to re-register their vessels. Only vessels that appear on this register are acceptable as replacement capacity. The current policy on fleet capacity provides that the capacity withdrawn from the fishing boat register when a fishing vessel is de-registered is retained in its entirety by the vessel owner. The vessel owner may sell this capacity to a third party or use it to licence and register a new vessel. There are currently no limits applied to the length of time this capacity may be held off the register.
Questions Nos. 128 and 129 answered with Question No. 47.
