Joe McHugh
Ceist:501. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of white fish boats that are registered with tonnage and are working out of each area in Irish waters. [42365/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 8 October 2013
Ceisteanna (501)
Freagraí scríofa
The Irish fishing fleet is divided into 5 main segments for licensing and registration purposes. Vessels targeting whitefish are licensed in the polyvalent and beam trawl segments of the fleet. In order to obtain a sea fishing boat licence, the owner must provide replacement capacity (comprising gross tonnage, a measure of volume, and kilowatts, a measure of engine power) from the fleet segment into which the vessel is being licensed.
I am informed by the Licensing Authority for Sea Fishing Boats that 1,473 polyvalent vessels and 10 beam trawlers that were licensed and registered at 31 December 2012 were entitled to target whitefish.
Control of the fishing activity within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone is a matter for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006, operational issues concerning sea fisheries control, such as recording landings, are a matter for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service. I have asked the SFPA to respond directly to the Deputy's request by giving landings in Irish ports as a indicator of the fishing activity in the areas.