HC Deb 09 December 2002 vol 396 cc47-8W
Mr. Dodds

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proportion of Northern Ireland's fishing fleet has been decommissioned under European Union regulations since 1990. [85687]

Mr. Pearson

In March 1990 there were 450 fishing vessels in the Northern Ireland fleet, compared with 318 vessels in December 2002. Since 1990, 102 Northern Ireland fishing vessels have been decommissioned with assistance from European Structural Funds.

Mr. Dodds

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many commercial fishing vessels were registered in Northern Ireland in(a) 1997 and (b) 2002. [85688]

Mr. Pearson

The number of commercial fishing vessels registered in Northern Ireland in January 1997 and December 2002 was 350 and 318 respectively.

Mr. Dodds

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people are employed in the fishing industry in Northern Ireland. [85689]

Mr. Pearson

The latest available data relate to 2001 and are as follows:

Full time Part time
Catching 933 148
Processing 989 208
Others 57 30
Total 1,979 386

Mr. Dodds

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment has been made of the impact on the Northern Ireland fishing industry of the most recent proposals from the European Union to ban cod and prawn catches in the Irish Sea. [85691]

Mr. Pearson

No such proposals have come from the European Union. I am making representations to make sure the concerns of the Northern Ireland fishing industry are fully heard and I shall give detailed consideration to the implications for the industry when the Commission advances its detailed proposals.

Mr. Dodds

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment has been made of the representations made to Her Majesty's Government by fishermen in Northern Ireland concerning European Union proposals to ban cod and prawn catches in the Irish Sea. [85692]

Mr. Pearson

I have met representatives of the catching sector who have briefed me in considerable detail on the responsible efforts that they have made in recent years to secure sustainable fisheries in the Irish Sea, and on the potential social and economic consequences of further cuts in fishing effort.