§ Mrs. Ann WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 8 January, 2002Official Report, column 769W, on the fishing fleet, if she will make a statement on (a) the total estimated discrepancy in kilowatt of power to be rectified on 1 July 2000 as a result of the declarations received from fishing vessels owners on 1 July 2000, (b) the total amount of kilowatt of power outstanding for which owners still have to acquire additional vessel capacity units and (c) the figures resulting from the above in relation to the totals for each of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea areas. [31456]
§ Mr. MorleyThe total engine power discrepancy notified to Fisheries Departments by fishing vessel owners by 1 July 2000 was 50,400kW. As at 31 December 2001 vessel owners had acquired additional vessel capacity units (VCUs) equivalent to approximately 19,800kWs of this discrepancy. This leaves some 30,600kW to be corrected by the purchase of additional VCUs, the deration of engine power or a combination of the two. Vessel owners have until 31 December 2004 to do this. The figures cover the full spectrum of fishing activity. They cannot be broken down by ICES area as British domestic fishing licences authorise fishing in all relevant ICES areas.