Skip to main content
Normal View

Fishing Vessel Licences

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 March 2014

Wednesday, 12 March 2014

Questions (167)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

167. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to re-open applications for potting licences for the purpose of lobster fishing; if there is a scheme were unused licences could be transferred to another boat owner who is not related to the current licence holder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12318/14]

View answer

Written answers

A 'Scheme for the Licensing of Traditional Pot Fishing Boats in the Irish Inshore Fleet' was introduced in 2003 with a closing date of 18 June 2003, following approval from the European Commission, in order to regularise the position of a substantial number of under 12 metre vessels engaged in commercial fishing by means of pots. These vessels had been in the fleet but, for various reasons, had not been formally licensed or registered. Implementation of this scheme was completed in August 2006 because of an obligation imposed by the European Commission on Ireland to complete the licensing and registration of eligible vessels under the scheme at the earliest possible date, as part of a process of finalising the fishing fleet capacity limits of all Member States. Ireland received a credit of 1,239 gross tonnes and 15,955 kilowatts in its reference level (i.e. fleet capacity ceiling) in respect of these vessels. The scheme is now closed.

There were a number of necessary conditions attached to licensing of vessels in the Polyvalent Potting sub-segment of the fleet. Vessels may only target non-quota species and exclusively by means of pots. Neither the boat's capacity nor its licence may be traded on or otherwise transferred, except to an immediate family member (i.e. father, mother, brother, sister, spouse or child). A licence is permanently lost to the holder once the potting vessel is removed from the Fishing Boat Register. The loss can only be avoided if a replacement vessel is proposed in advance of the existing potting vessel being removed from the Fishing Boat Register. While this has given rise over time to some unused capacity, it is small amount. I have no plans at this time to make this capacity available to additional vessels. The general position is that most inshore stocks are under significant pressure and most commentary on the inshore sector is looking for a decrease rather than an increase in fishing effort. However, I will consider it in the context of the action plan for small scale coastal fishing vessels required as part of the preparation of the Operational Programme for the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.

In the meantime, any new applications for potting licences are subject to standard licensing conditions under current licensing policy, including the requirement for the provision of replacement capacity. A Polyvalent General licence is required by new applicants to fish by means of pots but such licences are not restricted to fishing by means of pots only.

Top
Share