Martin Ferris
Question:585 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of fishing vessels registered in the State; and the total tonnage and kilowatts in this regard. [1117/04]
View answerDáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2004
585 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of fishing vessels registered in the State; and the total tonnage and kilowatts in this regard. [1117/04]
View answerThe independent licensing authority for sea-fishing boats established under the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2003, the Registrar General of Fishing Boats, has advised that 1,501 fishing vessels are entered on the Irish fishing boat register, having a total capacity of 82,409 gross tonnes and 224,959 kilowatts. These figures are subject to revision in the context of the processing of a backlog of registration and de-registration applications arising from computer software problems with the register, the introduction of new EU and national fleet policies, and ongoing changes in the fishing fleet.
586 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the proportion of registered fishing vessels classified as inshore, that is, less than 15 feet in length and operating within the 12 mile limit. [1118/04]
View answerThere is no dedicated fleet segment for inshore vessels in the Irish fishing fleet and inshore vessels are not specifically classified as such on the fishing boat register. Most inshore boats are in the polyvalent fleet segment. Fishing boats less than 12 metres long are generally considered to be inshore vessels but sea-fishing boat licences issued in respect of such boats do not specify a distance within which they must operate. Some 72% of all registered fishing vessels are under 12 metres in length. Only 0.5% of vessels on the fishing boat register are less than 15 feet in length.