Written answers

Tuesday, 3 April 2007

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Aquaculture Licences

10:00 pm

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 363: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the changes that have taken place in relation to oyster fishing in 2007. [12441/07]

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 364: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if people without tonnage will be allowed to fish for oysters in 2007. [12442/07]

Photo of John BrowneJohn Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 363 and 364 together.

The function of the Licensing Authority for sea-fishing boats was transferred under the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2003 to the Registrar General of Fishing Boats. The Act provides that the Licensing Authority is independent in the exercise of its functions under the Act, subject to the law for the time being in force and policy directives in relation to sea-fishing boat licensing.

The Registrar General has informed me that in accordance with the provisions of the EU Common Fishery Policy a Sea-Fishing Boat Licence is required in respect of boats engaged in aquaculture activities, which include Oyster fisheries, where such activities include, at any time:

1. Having on-board fishing gear as specified in Table 3 of Annex 1 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 26/2004 of 30 December 2003 as amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1799/2006 of 6 December 2006 on the Community fishing fleet register or

2. Engaging in commercial sea-fishing activities outside aquaculture areas.

The entitlement to engage in any of the activities outlined above depends on the segment of the fleet in which the boat is licensed and registered. Where a boat is licensed and registered within the Aquaculture Segment of the Irish fishing fleet, it is a condition of the licence that the boat shall be used solely for the management, development and servicing of aquaculture areas.

It should be noted that boats licensed and registered within the Aquaculture Segment are not subject to the entry/exit regime, whereby replacement capacity must be removed from the Irish fishing fleet register before the boat may be licensed or registered. Where it is intended that a boat may be engaged in activities other that management, development and servicing of aquaculture areas, the boat should be licensed and registered in either the Polyvalent or Specific Segment. In either case, the entry/exit regime applies and replacement capacity must be removed from the same segment of the fleet before the boat may be licensed and registered in either segment.

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