To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average (a) length and (b) horsepower of a UK fishing vessel is. (249047)

Based on those vessels registered as UK fishing vessels as at 31 December 2007, the average length of a UK registered fishing vessel was 9.7 metres and the average power was 127 kW.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average age of the UK (a) under 30 foot and (b) over 30 foot fishing fleet is. (249049)

Based on those vessels registered as UK fishing vessels as at 31 December 2007, the average age of UK registered fishing vessels under 30 feet in length was 23 years. The average age of vessels over 30 feet in length was also 23 years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many UK fishing vessels were built in 2008; and what their total tonnage is. (249052)

Of those vessels entering the UK fishing fleet during 2008, sixty three were actually built during 2008, with a gross tonnage of 6,168 tonnes.