Brussels, 18/06/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 17 June, the European Parliament's Fisheries Committee, recommended the approval of the conclusion of the partnership agreement in the fisheries sector between the EU and Madagascar (adoption of the report by Ricardo Serrão Santos, which will be voted on in the July plenary session).
This agreement includes fishing opportunities for 94 EU vessels (Spain, France, Italy and Portugal): 40 seiners and 54 long liners of different sizes. 15,750 t of fish can be caught in the waters of the exclusive economic zone of the Republic of Madagascar. In exchange for the use of this fishing zone, the European Union will fund the Madagascar fisheries sector to the tune of €700,000 a year, with around €866,250 during the first two years of the agreement and €787,500 during the last two years. In total, the agreement includes €6.1 million from the European Union to the Republic of Madagascar over the four years in which the partnership agreement is valid. (Lionel Changeur)