Brussels, 29/08/2014 (Agence Europe) - The EU and Cape Verde have agreed on the content of a new protocol to their bilateral fisheries agreement, the European Commission announced on Friday 29 August. This new four-year protocol will replace the current protocol, which expires on 31 August.
The new protocol authorises 71 EU vessels to fish for tuna and other highly migratory species in Cape Verdean waters. In return, the EU has increased its financial contribution and will pay Cape Verde €550,000 per year for the first two years of application and €500,000 per year for the final two years of application. Half of the yearly financial contribution is paid for access to the resource and the other half is earmarked for promoting sustainable management of fisheries in Cape Verde (including reinforcement of control and surveillance capacities), and for supporting the local fishing communities. The new protocol is in line with the principles of the reformed common fisheries policy (clauses on transparency and respect of human rights, and an increase in the contribution paid by EU vessel owners). (LC)