Vol. 551 No. 2
60 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the total tonnage in the Irish fishing fleet; the number of boats with tonnage in excess of 5000, 1000, 100, 50 and less than 20 tonnes; the employment content in respect of each category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10011/02]
The total tonnage of the Irish fishing fleet, as officially reported to the European Commission under the multi-annual guidance fleet programme for end year 2000, is 61,262 gross tonnes. The tonnage figure for end year 2001 will be available shortly. Desegregated data on the number of boats and employment content in the tonnage bands as sought by the Deputy are not readily available. BIM has advised that the total number currently employed in the Irish fishing fleet is approximately 6,100. Of this figure over 3,500 are employed in the in-shore fleet, which comprises over 1,700 vessels under 15 metres in length and represents some 9,000 tonnes of the fleet's total tonnage.
