Vol. 449 No. 5
111 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Marine if any issue of concern regarding sea fishing policy or regulations has been brought to his attention; the action, if any, he proposes to take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4026/95]
Under European Union fleet policy the capacities of members states' fishing fleets are constrained by decisions taken in the context of fleet multi annual guidance programmes, MAGPS. In Ireland's case capacity targets set for the end of 1996 require that the fleet be reduced by over 3,000 tonnes.
Against this background, sea-fishing boat licensing policy is designed to maintain strict control on all proposed new entrants into the Irish fleet. Licences can only be approved where the applicants undertake to remove capacity from the sea fishing boat register that is at least equal to the capacity of proposed new boats.
Other licensing policy requirements include the submission by applicants of documentary evidence demonstrating that proposed new entrants into the fleet are safe and seaworthy and that no decommissioning grants have been paid in respect of the boats in any other member states.
I am aware of certain concerns in the fishing industry about the present system of issuing sea fishing vessel licences. I am anxious to ensure that the licensing system should have the full confidence of the fishing industry, and am examining the matter in detail to see what could reasonably be done to make the system more open and transparent with a view to ensuring that the system will have the confidence of the fishing sector.
