Brussels, 02/03/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 2 March, the Council of Ministers of the EU adopted a decision, without debate, on concluding a sustainable fisheries partnership agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Senegal and the protocol on the implementation of the agreement.
The duration of the agreement which covers the EU-Senegal fisheries protocol is five years. The total estimated value of the protocol is €13,930,000, divided up as follows: 1) €8,690,000 under the financial contribution, shared between annual financial compensation for access to the resources (for a reference tonnage for highly migratory species of 14,000 tonnes a year) and support for the Senegalese sectorial fisheries policy; 2) €5,240,000, corresponding to the estimated levies payable by the vessel owners for the fishing authorisations.
Three categories of vessels will be allowed to fish in the Senegalese waters - 28 tuna seiners, eight pole and line vessels and two trawlers (targeting black hake).
Fishing opportunities will be divided up as follows between member states: - tuna seiners (16 vessels for Spain, 12 for France); - pole and line vessels (seven for Spain, one for France); - trawlers (two vessels for Spain).
If the annual quantity of catch for highly migratory species taken by EU fishing vessels exceeds the reference tonnage, the total annual financial contribution will be increased by €55 for the first year, €50 for the second, third and fourth years and by €45 for the fifth year for each extra tonne caught.
The first agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Senegal in the field of fisheries entered into force on 1 June 1981. The protocol, which was renewed in 2002, expired in 2006. (Lionel Changeur)