John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 548: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on a licensing scheme for full-time fishermen who are engaged in an activity (details supplied) on small boats fishing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14793/07]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I assume the Deputy is referring to fishing vessels licensed under the scheme for the licensing and registration of unlicensed and unregistered pot-fishing boats in the Irish inshore fleet, which was announced in 2003. Among the conditions of the scheme which was drawn up with the approval of the EU Commission, were that licences granted under this scheme will allow the licensees to fish only for non-quota species and solely by means of pots. The provision of replacement capacity was not a requirement, unlike the normal requirement for sea-fishing boat licensing, and the capacity of boats licensed and registered under the scheme will not be eligible as replacement capacity.

I do not consider that there is a case for reviewing the conditions of such licenses taking into account especially that there are already too many boats targeting the quota stocks available to Ireland and the strategic plan for the seafood sector for 2007-2013 — Steering A New Course recommends a major decommissioning programme for the whitefish fleet.

It is important also to note that it is open to any person to apply to the Sea Fishing Boat Licensing Authority at any time for a standard fishing-boat licence in accordance with standard fishing boat licensing policy, which includes the requirement for the provision for replacement capacity. Vessels granted such a licence are registered in the "polyvalent" or multi-purpose segment which entitles the licensed and registered owner, subject to certain conditions and restrictions, to fish for a wide range of species and with a range of fishing gear, including both quota and non quota stocks.