Small inshore fishing vessels under 12 metres in length will have to be licensed and registered under a scheme introduced this week by the Minister for the Marine, Mr Ahern.
The aim of the scheme is to regulate the traditional inshore sector to conserve inshore stocks, and to ensure that there are higher safety standards, according to the Minister.
In a separate safety initiative, Mr Ahern has brought forward the passenger boat regulations which now apply to all vessels involved in sea angling "for reward" as and from January 1st.
Fishing industry representatives were notified yesterday of the details of the scheme. It will apply to boats less than 12 metres in overall length, and not exceeding 20 gross registered tonnes. Owners must confirm their vessels as safe and seaworthy, and applicants must have a track record in sea fishing in the inshore sector in any two of the five years prior to January 1st, 2003.
They must also demonstrate a fishing record (by the applicant or immediate family) going back to 1990. Applicants must own the boat and not have full-time employment outside the fishing industry.
