Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 88: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of licences for scallop fishing vessels that were issued in each of the past five years; the level of additional engine horse power that was allowed in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19915/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Fishing boats are not licensed on the basis of individual species of fish. For the purpose of licensing the fleet is divided into five segments: pelagic, beamer, polyvalent, specific and aquaculture. Each segment provides for a certain level of entitlement as regards species but those entitlements may be subject to further restrictions such as quotas, area preclusions, etc. In principle boats licensed in all segments other than the aquaculture segment can fish for scallops. However, in practice the number of boats actively engaged in that fishery is much lower. Vessels in the specific segment of the fleet are restricted to fishing solely for bivalve molluscs, including scallop. A moratorium on the granting of additional licences in that segment was introduced in 1999, other than in the case of applications which were already on hand at the time of that decision. To date in 2005, a total of 12 dredgers have targeted scallops and the total engine power of these vessels is 7,118 kilowatts.