Vol. 502 No. 5
34 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the number of unregistered fishing vessels licensed; the number that still need to be licensed; and the course of action which will follow for those vessels which remain unlicensed and are considered a serious threat to safety. [8019/99]
Under the special scheme introduced with the approval of the European Commission, the licensing and registration position of previously unregistered small fishing vessels is being regularised. Some 600 applications under the scheme have now been approved for a sea fishing boat licence and the remaining applications, numbering some 400, are being processed.
The granting of a licence under the special scheme is subject, inter alia, to the provision of a survey report which confirms that the vessel is safe and seaworthy, and a licence is not issued unless confirmation is received by my Department that action has been taken to remedy any defects. The scheme represents, therefore, a significant improvement in the safety regulatory framework and in upgrading the safety standards for smaller fishing vessels.
It goes without saying that high safety standards are essential for fishing vessels, and I am continuing to give the matter high priority in light of the recommendations of the fishing vessel safety review group. Additionally, safety issues will be a crucial consideration in the future enforcement of the provisions of the Fisheries Acts which prohibit a boat from engaging in sea fishing without a sea fishing boat licence.
