Brussels, 12/12/2012 (Agence Europe) - The Netherlands are concerned at the technical measures included in the new fisheries protocol concluded between the EU and Mauritania. They take the view that these measures could give rise to an under-utilisation of fishing opportunity and voiced their concerns at the Fisheries Council of 29 November. Taking pains to reassure them, the European Commissioner for Fisheries, Maria Damanaki, explained that the EU/Mauritania protocol was the only instrument of this kind which included a denunciation clause: in the event of under-use, there will be a reimbursement of unused rights. The Hague, supported by the main countries concerned by this fishery (Spain, France, Lithuania and Latvia), however, called for a meeting of the joint technical committee to be convened to assess these various technical measures and, if possible, to improve these provisions. Damanaki has not opposed this step. The joint committee will bring together the experts of the Commission, the four principal States concerned and Mauritania. (LC/transl.fl)