John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 866: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the system for registration of tonnage will be changed, as it is inadequate and problematic for fishermen; if he has received submissions calling for a change to the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29041/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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From 1 January 2003, EU Law requires that Member States have had to respect a strict entry-exit regime applying to the capacity of their fishing fleets, measured in terms of both tonnage and engine power. This means that generally any entry of capacity into the Irish fishing fleet has to be compensated by the previous exit of the same amount of capacity at a ratio of 1:1. Under the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2003 an open and transparent regime governing the licensing and registration of fishing boats, in accordance with EU law, was put in place. The details of the requirements are set out in Ministerial policy directives issued to the independent Licensing Authority for Sea-fishing Boats.

The Irish fishing fleet comprises five segments of which 2 are further sub-segmented. An applicant for a sea-fishing boat licence for a particular segment or sub-segment may, subject to the conditions laid down in the policy directives, acquire replacement capacity, in terms of tonnage and engine power, for that segment or sub-segment from another person for the purpose of licensing and registration of the vessel. Vessels that are being licensed and registered under the Scheme for the Licensing of Traditional Pot-fishing Boats in the Irish Inshore Fleet, did not have to provide replacement capacity. The purpose of this scheme, which was approved by the European Commission, was to bring within the regulatory framework unlicensed and unregistered inshore fishermen active at the time who had traditionally owned a small fishing boat and had a record of active commercial pot-fishing. A condition of the scheme was that the capacity of boats licensed and registered under the scheme is not eligible as replacement capacity. The scheme is closed and any applications for sea-fishing boat licences for inshore vessels, since the closure of the scheme, can only be considered under the standard provisions of sea-fishing boat licensing. I occasionally receive submissions from individuals regarding various aspects of the replacement capacity system, which may affect them. I have no proposals at present to change the system. In any case, any changes would have to be in accordance with EU and national law.