The development of safety regulations for fishing vessels dates back to the Fishing Vessel Safety Review group, which reported in 1996. One key recommendation made by that group was for the establishment of a safety regime for fishing vessels covering stability, strength, hull and machinery. Following several fishing vessel tragedies in 2007 efforts focused on the development of a scheme for the fishing vessels in the 15m to 24m length category. My Department developed regulations for such vessels based on international standards and these regulations were subject to extensive public consultations, following, which the regulations entered into force in September of that year. The Department of Transport as the maritime safety regulator does not regulate or control the number of fishing vessels; the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food carry out this function. Compliance with the safety regulations is only required for those fishing vessels wishing to operate. Consequently, the Department of Transport only maintains figures for fishing vessels that have been issued with or made contact with the Department for certificates.
The new regulations apply to fishing vessels in the 15m to 24m length category on a phased basis from 2007.
On 1 October 2010 a total of 81 fishing vessels had been issued with a safety certificate or clearance for such and since then a further 10 vessels have received clearance.
In addition, a further 41 vessel owners have contacted the Department with a view to achieving a certificate, and the Marine Survey Office is processing these. From contacts between officials of my Department and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food there may still be 20 or so older vessels that have not made contact to date. It is a matter for each vessel owner in question to do so if it is his or her intention to continue to use the vessel.
Any decommissioning scheme for fishing vessels would be a matter for the Minister of Agriculture Fisheries and Food and I have no function in that regard.
