Vol. 441 No. 6
117 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Minister for the Marine the number of fishing licences granted to fishermen off the north Mayo coast; the estimated overall tonnage of fish landed by such fishermen; the estimated overall income generated by such catches; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
There are 127 fishing vessels, owned by fishermen in County Mayo, entered on the current sea fishing boat register, and 85 of these are based on the north Mayo coast. All these vessels would be entitled to engage in commercial sea fishing. During the years 1991-93, one new sea fishing boat licence was granted to a fisherman resident in County Mayo.
In addition, a special scheme has recently been introduced to regularise the position in relation to certain boats which have been in the fleet for some years, but which for various reasons were unregistered. Nine applications under the above scheme have already been received from fishermen in County Mayo.
The total tonnage of fish landed at the various ports on the north Mayo coast in 1992 was 530 tonnes. This was predominately made up of shellfish, mainly mussels, lobster and crab, and whitefish, primarily dogfish, ray and cod. The total value of fish landed at these ports in 1992 was £0.88 million.
