Vol. 453 No. 2
3 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for the Marine the extra tonnage required for the lengthened Áine and for the replacement of the Brendelen and the Father McKee; and if this extra tonnage will come from the whitefish fleet. [9061/95]
The extra tonnage required in respect of the MFV Áine is estimated to be of the order of 60 tonnes, while a further 250 tonnes or so, in total, is required in respect of the MFV Brendelen and the MFV Father McKee. It is expected that this extra tonnage will come from the polyvalent segment of the fleet, which includes whitefish and dry hold pelagic vessels, in other words, mixed fishing boats.
As I have already indicated to this House in response to previous questions on this subject, I have decided that, in respect of all future proposals for the introduction of pelagic tank boats, 100 per cent replacement capacity must be withdrawn from the existing pelagic tank boat fleet. That decision is in operation since the start of the year.
What is the national tonnage allocated to our fishing fleet?
The total tonnage allocated is roughly 53,000 tonnes or 54,000 tonnes. That is an off the top of the head figure.
How does it compare with that for 1993?
They are separate questions but I promise to get the information for the Deputy.
