Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Mar 2003

Vol. 562 No. 4

Written Answers - Fishing Fleet Capacity.

John Deasy

Question:

142 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the total tonnage allocated under EU regulations for the Irish fishing fleet; the amount of this tonnage which is being absorbed by the two super trawlers at present in the Irish fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6319/03]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. D. Ahern)

The overall capacity limits for the Irish fleet under the EU Multi-Annual Guidance Programme for the period 1997-2002 were set at 83,167 gross tonnes and 215,939 kilowatts. The new EU framework regulation for the Common Fisheries Policy, Council Regulation 2371/2002, agreed at the Fisheries Council in December 2002, provides for the establishment of new reference levels for the Irish fleet.

Current capacity objectives for the Irish pelagic fleet segment, within which the large pelagic trawlers must be licensed and registered, are 36,363 gross tonnes and 47, 837 kilowatts. The capacity of the largest pelagic trawler currently in the Irish fleet, theAtlantic Dawn, is 14,055 gross tonnes and 14,400 kilowatts. This vessel was licensed and registered last year on foot of a decision by the European Commission to increase the capacity objectives of the Irish pelagic segment by that amount in order to take account of fishing opportunities in Mauritanian and west African waters. The previously largest pelagic vessel in the Irish fleet, the Veronica, was removed from the Irish and EU fleet registers by the Atlantic Dawn company last year following arrangements reached with the European Commission and the company in relation to the introduction of the Atlantic Dawn.