The Government has announced a new scheme to include small inshore vessels in the State’s licensing and registration policy.
The initiative was outlined by Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Frank Fahey, today in Galway.
The scheme is designed to ensure all small scale, part-time fishermen around the coast participate in the new inshore fisheries management and conservation framework.
Inshore fishermen who own small boats (under 12 metres in length) will be given up to two years to buy their full replacement capacity which is legally required under the fishing boat licensing and registration policy.
A pilot scheme will be tested in the catchment area between Cleggan and Blacksod over the coming weeks. It will be supervised by the BIMS Inshore Development officers and the Department of the Marine.