Brussels, 25/06/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 19 June, the services of the European Commission and of Madagascar successfully concluded negotiations for a new protocol on the implementation of the partnership agreement in the fisheries sector. This new protocol covers a period of four years (2015-2018).
“The text initialled yesterday between Madagascar and the EU supports the partnership in place for many years to ensure transparent access for the European fleet to the waters of Madagascar and to build upon cooperation in the sustainable management of fish resources and fishing activities”, reads a joint press release by the two parties. The current protocol expires at the end of this year.
The new protocol covers tuna and associated species. The number of EU vessels (from Spain, Portugal, Italy and France) authorised to fish in Madagascan waters is 40 purse seiners and 54 long liners. The protocol generates resources for Madagascar made up of three elements: the fees paid by the shipowners, the EU's contribution for access to the resource and additional support for the implementation of the fisheries policy.
The new protocol aims to allow Madagascar to get more out of the partnership agreement. The conditions agreed upon will double the share paid by the EU ship owners. Additionally, over the four years of application of the protocol, the amounts paid by the EU will total €6.1 million. This means that Madagascar can hope for overall financial benefits 20% greater than compared to the current situation, according to a press release (the financial impact is expected to be €2.5 million a year).
In addition, the protocol brings in measures guaranteeing better monitoring of the activities of the EU fleet in the waters of Madagascar, such as a quarterly report on catch and fishing effort and the creation of conditions for the daily reporting of catch figures. It also confirms a ban on catches of the most vulnerable shark species, and catches of authorised shark species will be strictly limited to a maximum of 250 tonnes a year.
A definition of the areas of Madagascan waters which the EU fleet can access should help to preserve the interests of the country's small-scale and traditional fishing activities, the press release states. The EU's specific support to Madagascar's fisheries policy will now amount to €700,000 a year, compared to €550,000 at the moment. (LC)