Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 93: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason aquaculture licences are not available to inshore mussel dredging fishermen. [13086/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1997, as amended, governs the granting, renewal, amendment or revocation of aquaculture licences. For the purposes of the Act "aquaculture" means "the culture or farming of any species of fish, aquatic invertebrate animal of whatever habitat or aquatic plant, or any aquatic form of food suitable for the nutrition of fish". It is open to any individual or legal entity to apply for an aquaculture licence within the meaning and in accordance with the terms of the Act and any Regulations made thereunder.

In relation to sea fishing-boat licences, the Licensing Authority for Sea Fishing Boats has advised me that a Sea-Fishing Boat Licence is required under EU and National law in respect of boats engaged in commercial fishing activities where such activities include, at any time; (1) Dredging for wild mussel seed/spat, or (2) 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 (dredges are included in this table).

The entitlement to engage in any of the activities outlined 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.