§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list each of his Department's marine research vessels stating for each vessel(a) which port they operate out of, (b) the complement of crew, (c) the age, (d) the estimated years until decommissioning and (e) the research programme in the current year. [128306]
§ Mr. Nick BrownMAFF has two Fisheries Research Vessels, operated by MAFF's Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS). The two vessels are the 72 metre long RV Cirolana and the 53 metre RV Corystes. Both vessels operate out of the port of Lowestoft.
The Cirolana has a current complement of 17 crew. It was commissioned in 1970, and has been in operation for 30 years. It is expected to be decommissioned in 2003. Its programme for calendar year 2000 is for eight voyages. Five will support the science and management of marine fisheries, and three will support the science and management of the marine environment.
The Corystes has a current complement of 16 crew. It was commissioned in 1988, and has been in operation for 12 years. It has a design life of 25 years. Its programme for calendar year 2000 is for 16 voyages. Eight will support the science and management of marine fisheries, and eight will support the science and management of the marine environment.