Vol. 532 No. 4
169 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the position in relation to correspondence on a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8171/01]
There is no record in my Department of an application for a sea fishing boat licence from the individual concerned. However, inquiries were made on his behalf as to the possibility of his obtaining a licence to fish for bi-valve molluscs. It was explained that, because of their importance for inshore fishing and to ensure the conservation and rational exploitation of the bi-valve mollusc stocks, I had found it necessary to curtail the number of sea fishing boat licences for these shellfish species pending a review of stocks and fishing activity. This review is ongoing.
With regard to a sea fishing boat licence to fish for species other than bi-valve molluscs, any application in this regard will be dealt with in accordance with current licensing policy, including the requirement to provide equivalent replacement capacity.
