Ollie Wilkinson (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Question 384: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position in relation to the fishing quotas which were formerly associated with the Atlantic Dawn fishing vessel, which it is understood has been sold out of the Irish fishing fleet. [12937/07]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The MFV Atlantic Dawn has been deregistered from the Irish fleet and, I understand, sold to a foreign buyer. The vessel's pelagic capacity, in terms of gross tonnage and kilowatts, can be re-introduced onto the Irish register within 2 years. If the capacity is not re-introduced onto the Irish register within 2 years, the capacity will be lost to the owner and will revert to the National pool.

No such 2 year grace period applies in terms of quota allocations. Any quota allocated to Atlantic Dawn Ltd that was not caught by the date of deregistration of the MFV Atlantic Dawn reverted immediately to the National pool. Atlantic Dawn Ltd was allocated some 2,927 tonnes of mackerel quota and 706 tonnes of horse mackerel quota in respect of the MFV Atlantic Dawn. Some 343 tonnes of mackerel remained uncaught at the time of the Atlantic Dawn's deregistration. This 343 tonnes has now reverted to the National pool. There was no horse mackerel uncaught.

When a vessel is taken off the register mid-year, normal practice is, where possible, to facilitate the owners in transferring the unused allocation to any eligible replacement vessel they introduce onto the register before 7 December. If this does not happen, I will redistribute the unused quota in accordance with the usual criteria.

In response to Deputy Ferris's Question No. 79 of 27th March 2007, I made clear my policy on this matter. However, I may have caused some confusion by also inadvertently agreeing with the Deputy's assertion that the Atlantic Dawn's unused quota stays with the vessel for 2 years. I believe that I have clarified the matter today.