Brussels, 05/01/2015 (Agence Europe) - An independent report (ex ante evaluation) ordered by the European Commission has recommended that the EU negotiate a fisheries partnership agreement with the United Republic of Tanzania. In the 1990s and again in the mid-2000s, the EU and Tanzania tried unsuccessfully to negotiate fisheries agreements.
The report (http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/documentation/studies/tanzania/doc/ex-ante-evaluation-tanzania_en.pdf ), published on the DG MARE (maritime affairs and fisheries) website on 16 December 2014, takes the view that 22-40 purse seine vessels and around five longline vessels could use fishing authorisations to fish in Tanzania waters. Private access agreements already exist but a formal EU-Tanzania agreement would be more suitable in achieving sustainable exploitation, human rights and democratic principles objectives. Since May 2013, Tanzania has indicated (in a series of emails with DG MARE) its desire to conclude a fisheries agreement with the EU.
Fisheries management in the country is divided between continental Tanzania and Zanzibar. Two memoranda of understanding exist with organisations representing Spanish owners of purse seine vessels (ANABAC and OPAGAC). A memorandum of understanding is currently being negotiated with ORTHONGEL, representing French owners of tuna purse seiners. In 2013, 25 12-month authorisations were issued for purse seiners - Spain (14), France (2) Seychelles (7) and South Korea (2) - generating a total revenue of approximately €655,000. The EU requirements include fishing opportunities for 22-40 purse seine vessels to access the skipjack, yellowfin, bigeye and albacore tuna resources, and around five longline fishing opportunities to be provided on an experimental basis. (LC)