Brussels, 08/06/2015 (Agence Europe) - Following a third round of talks, the European Union and the Republic of Liberia concluded a new sustainable fisheries partnership agreement and an associated five-year protocol setting out the fishing opportunities for EU vessels, the financial compensation to be paid by EU and the arrangements for support to be offered to the fishing sector of Liberia.
The protocol authorises 28 purse seiners and 6 long-line vessels from the EU to catch 6,500 tonnes of tuna and other highly migratory species in Liberian waters. In return, the EU will pay Liberia annual compensation of €650,000, 50% of which will be earmarked to support the fisheries policy of Liberia.
The agreement and the protocol are fully in line with the reformed common fisheries policy (CFP), the Commission says. The fishing activities of EU vessels in Liberian waters will be carried out in respect of the principles of sustainability, good governance, transparency, non-discrimination and respect of human rights.
Control of fishing activities and catch reporting will be assured through the use of the electronic reporting system (ERS - electronic logbooks) and vessel monitoring system (VMS). Both parties have also pledged to respect fully all the recommendations made by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT).
This protocol will also reinforce cooperation between the two parties, especially in their fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Moreover, the agreement will help Liberia reinforce its fisheries monitoring, control and surveillance capacity, as well as enhancing scientific cooperation and promoting the development of the fishing sector of Liberia.
“The new Partnership Agreement is expected to contribute to Liberia's recovery after the Ebola crisis and is a sign of the EU's confidence in Liberia's economy”, the Commission says. (Lionel Changeur)