Horsens, 05/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has announced that a new protocol to the Fisheries Partnership Agreement was concluded between the EU and Kiribati on Sunday 3 June. The new protocol, which relates to tuna fishing, covers a three-year period and will replace the current protocol which is due to expire on 16 September 2012. The agreement provides for an annual financial contribution from the EU of €1,325,000 (compared with €478,400 per year under the current protocol). From the annual contribution €350,000 will go exclusively to support Kiribati's fishing policy.
The reference tonnage has been increased to 15,000 per year (up from 6,400 tonnes annually in the current protocol) and so have the fees to be paid by EU (Spanish, Portuguese and French) ship owners whose vessels are authorised to fish in Kiribati waters. Fishing possibilities have been granted to four tuna purse seiners, as at present, and six surface longliners, rather than 12 under the current protocol. This agreement between the EU and Kiribati forms part of the network of tuna fisheries agreements in the Pacific. (LC/transl.rt)