Brussels, 12/01/2011 (Agence Europe) - Some 40 fishing vessels flying the flag of Venezuela will be allowed to continue to fish in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the French overseas department of Guyana, according to a proposal adopted by the European Commission on 7 January. The “statement of consent” on this special access regime has now been put to the Council for adoption.
The Venezuelan vessels, which fish mainly snapper and some shark, will, however, have to comply with current EU legislation on the management and conservation of fish stocks and with all European Union standards and regulations governing fishing activities in that area. In particular, they will have to abide by legislation specifying inter alia which fish stocks may be targeted, the maximum number of authorised fishing vessels and the proportion of catches to be landed in ports in French Guyana. The EU reserves the right unilaterally to terminate this special access at any time in the event of failure to observe the relevant rules and regulations.
Regulation 1006/2003 (Fishing Authorisation regulation) presupposes an international fisheries agreement when granting fisheries authorisations to third country vessels within EU waters. The EU not having concluded an international fisheries agreement with Venezuela, the move is a derogation of the rules. Given, however, “the economic and social importance of these fishing activities”, the Council and Commission consider sudden discontinuation would be “inappropriate”. (L.C./transl.rt)