24/06/2011 (Agence Europe) - Approval of EU-São Tomé and Principe protocol. On Thursday 23 June, the European Parliament approved the new fishing protocol between the EU and São Tomé and Principe. Of a duration of three years (2011-2014), it provides for the EU to make financial compensation of: €682,500 a year (€455,000 to allow EU vessels to catch 7,000 t of tuna a year and €227,500 for support in implementing the sectorial fisheries policy of São Tomé and Principe). Twenty-eight tuna seiners (Spain: 16 vessels; France: 12 vessels) and 12 surface longliners (9 for Spain and 3 for Portugal) are authorised to fish under this protocol. (L.C./transl.fl)