Brussels, 28/09/2012 (Agence Europe) - On 24 September, the European Commission adopted the proposals detailing the new protocol to the fisheries agreement signed between the EU and Mauritania, the conditions of which have been challenged by Spain and four other countries (see EUROPE 10696). Readers may recall that the agreement has still to be approved by the Council, which has the option to oppose it (qualified majority against or blocking minority), but no re-negotiations can take place in the current framework. A blockage at Council level would therefore mean that the mandate would have to be renegotiated, restarting the cycle of negotiations. As things stand with the votes, there is neither a qualified majority against, nor even a blocking minority. The European Parliament has to give its consent.
This new protocol, which was initialled on 26 July, covers a period of two years starting from the date of its signature. The main objective of the protocol to the agreement is to offer fishing possibilities for European Union vessels in the waters of Mauritania within the limits of the available surplus.
The protocol lays down annual fishing possibilities in the following categories: 5,000 tonnes for vessels fishing for crustaceans, with the exception of spiny lobster and crab; 4,000 tonnes for trawlers (non-freezer types) and deep-sea longliners fishing for black hake; 2,500 tonnes for vessels fishing for demersal species other than black hake with engines other than trawls; 200 tonnes of crab; 22 tuna seiners; 22 pole-and-line tuna vessels or longliners; 300,000 tonnes for freezer trawlers for pelagic fishing; 15,000 tonnes for non-freezer pelagic vessels (to be deducted from the allocation laid down for freezer trawlers for pelagic fishing).
The fishing possibilities set take account of actual catches between 2008 and 2012 and are divided as follows between the member states:
Category 1 - Vessels fishing for crustaceans other than spiny lobster and crab (maximum number of vessels: 36): Spain 4,150 tonnes, Italy 600 tonnes and Portugal 250 tonnes;
Category 2 - Black hake (non-freezer) trawlers and bottom longliners (maximum number of vessels: 11): Spain 4,000 tonnes;
Category 3 - Vessels fishing for demersal species other than black hake with gear other than trawls (maximum number of vessels: 9): Spain 2,500 tonnes;
Category 4 - Vessels fishing for crab: Spain 200 tonnes;
Category 5 - Tuna seiners: Spain 17 licences, France 5 licences;
Category 6 - Pole-and-line tuna vessels and surface longliners: Spain 18 licences, France 4 licences;
Category 7 - Pelagic freezer trawlers (maximum number of vessels: 19) Germany 28,500 tonnes, France 2,850 tonnes, Latvia 68,400 tonnes, Lithuania 71,250 tonnes, Netherlands 76,950 tonnes, Poland 28,500 tonnes, United Kingdom 8,550 tonnes;
Category 8 - Non-freezer pelagic vessels (maximum number of vessels: 2) Ireland 15,000 tonnes.
The annual financial compensation for the access of vessels of the European Union to the Mauritanian fishing zones has been laid down at €67 million. Additionally, annual financial support of €3 million has been earmarked for the implementation of a responsible and sustainable national fisheries policy in Mauritania. (LC/transl.fl)