Brussels, 25/04/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 25 April, the European Commission announced that the EU and Senegal have managed to conclude a new fisheries partnership agreement. It provides for a five-year protocol, including fishing opportunities for EU vessels, a financial contribution from the EU and support for the Senegalese fishing sector.
This result (after three rounds of negotiations) comes eight years after the expiry of the last protocol governing fishing relations between the EU and Senegal. Thirty-eight EU vessels targeting mainly tuna will again be able to operate in the Senegalese EEZ, with compensation of €8,690,000 for the duration of the protocol. The agreement is in strict compliance with the principles of sustainability and good governance of the resource, and is viewed as value for money by both parties. “This agreement benefits all stakeholders, including artisanal fishermen”, said European Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Maria Damanaki . Artisanal fishing, which is crucial for the Senegalese economy, will benefit from a significant part of the sectoral support built into the agreement, which amounts to a total of €750,000 per year. (LC)