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Gnáthamharc

Fishing Vessel Licences.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 June 2005

Wednesday, 15 June 2005

Ceisteanna (223, 224, 225)

John Perry

Ceist:

165 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of traditional mussel vessels which will not be allowed fish seed in 2005 due to new safety restrictions imposed by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20260/05]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Under the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2003, the sea-fishing boat licensing authority is prohibited from granting a licence in respect of a sea-fishing boat unless an independent survey confirms that the boat is safe and seaworthy. The sea-fishing boat licences for many fishing boats expire on 30 June 2005 and this provision applies to any new licence granted in respect of such boats. In the case of sea-fishing boats which are 24 metres or more in length, owners are obliged to have a certificate of compliance with specified safety requirements laid down under EU law before a new licence can issue.

Many mussel vessels, which engage in fishing for mussel seed, are within this category and must, therefore, satisfy the requirements for a certificate of compliance before new sea-fishing boat licences can be issued. They also require a mussel seed allocation in order to engage in fishing for mussel seed. All sea-fishing boat licence-holders in this category, including mussel dredgers, have been reminded of the requirements. It is not possible to indicate at this stage the number of mussel dredgers which will not be in a position to meet the safety requirements to enable them to fish for seed this season.

John Perry

Ceist:

166 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of boats to be licensed by the Northern Ireland authorities to fish for mussel seed in the Irish Sea in 2005; if he has received the names of these vessels licensed in Northern Ireland, their registration documentation and proof that they are wholly owned and operated in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20261/05]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Mussel seed is a naturally occurring resource that requires a management and development strategy in order to maximise the potential return and ensure the sustainability of the stock. In order to ensure a sustainable future for this resource, the mussel seed fishery is managed on an all-island basis. This is done under the Voisinage Agreement, made between Ireland and the UK in respect of Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland waters.

Under this agreement, it is required that UK-registered vessels licensed by the Northern Ireland authorities to operate in this fishery must be owned and operated in Northern Ireland. Information on the number and details of UK-registered vessels to be licensed to operate in this fishery in 2005 has been sought from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, DARD, in Northern Ireland and is expected shortly.

John Perry

Ceist:

167 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of vessels from Holland and Germany to which his attention has been drawn and which will be licensed by the Northern Ireland authorities; if these vessels comply with the same safety standards required by his Department of the Irish fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20262/05]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Mussel seed is a naturally occurring resource that requires a management and development strategy in order to maximise the potential return and ensure the sustainability of the stock. In order to ensure a sustainable future for this resource, the mussel seed fishery is managed on an all-island basis. This is done under the Voisinage Agreement, made between Ireland and the UK in respect of Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland waters.

Under this agreement, it is required that UK-registered vessels licensed by the Northern Ireland authorities to operate in this fishery must be owned and operated in Northern Ireland. Information on the number and details of UK-registered vessels to be licensed to operate in this fishery in 2005 has been sought from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, DARD, in Northern Ireland and is expected shortly.

No vessels licensed in Germany or the Netherlands are entitled to operate in this fishery. Both Ireland and the UK are subject to EU requirements for vessel safety.

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