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Fishing vessel decommissioning scheme opens
13/03/2003
The fishing vessel decommissioning scheme aimed at
reducing fishing effort on cod by a further 15-20%, is now
open for applications, it was announced today.
The scheme is part of an aid package of up to £50
million announced by the Minister for Environment and Rural
Development Ross Finnie.
Fishing vessel owners will be eligible to apply if - at
the date the application is made - they hold a valid
Category A fishing licence and their vessel:
- is registered in the United Kingdom as a fishing
vessel under Section 8(5) of the Merchant Shipping Act
1995.
- has had since 1 January 2003, and continues to have
until the date of the application, a port of
administration in Scotland.
- is at least 10 metres in overall length.
- spent at least 75 days at sea on fishing trips in
each of the years 2001 and 2002.
- is seaworthy. This means that if the registered
length of the vessel is over 12 metres, it must have a
valid safety certificate or letter of satisfaction
issued on behalf of the Secretary of State for
Transport.
Applications will be considered in accordance with the
arrangements set out in the scheme legislation. They will
be evaluated and ranked, having regard to some or all of
the following considerations:
- the cost of the bid.
- the capacity (tonnage and/or engine power) of the
vessel.
- the recorded landings made in respect of the vessel
during 2001 and 2002.
- the level of recorded fishing activity (days on
fishing trips) in respect of the vessel during 2001 and
2002.
Vessel owners will have until 18 April to apply for a
grant to decommission their vessel. Successful applicants
will have until 31 October 2003 to decommission their
vessel and claim their grant. An advance (50%) of grant may
be paid on surrender of the vessel's fishing licence(s) and
the cessation of fishing, provided that is done by 30 June
2003
Agreement was reached at the EU Fisheries Council in
December 2002 on the adoption of an effort control regime
as part of ongoing measures to aid cod recovery. The
Council also agreed substantial cuts in quotas for stocks
in which Scotland has a major interest.
On 28 January, Minister for Environment and Rural
Development Ross Finnie announced an aid package of up to
£50m. The decommissioning scheme is aimed at reducing
fishing effort on cod by a further 15-20%. Transitional
support will provide those worst affected by fisheries
reductions with some breathing space to assess their
longer-term prospects and make necessary adjustments to
their business plans.
Further information, application forms and guidance
notes can be obtained from:
The Decommissioning Team
SEERAD
Rm. 511
Pentland House
47 Robbs Loan
EDINBURGH
EH14 1TY
Tel:0131 244 4766
Fax: 0131 244 6288
Email:
decommissioning@scotland.gsi.gov.uk