Brussels, 10/05/2016 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament gave its approval in Strasbourg on Tuesday 10 May to conclusion of the first sustainable fisheries partnership agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Liberia.
It was by a wide majority that Parliament adopted the report by Jaroslaw Walesa (EPP, Poland) supporting the arrangements that will allow EU vessels to catch tuna in the waters of Liberia, the coastline of which stretches for 570 kilometres along the Atlantic Ocean. Conclusion of a sustainable fisheries partnership agreement with Liberia “would clearly help the EU to achieve its objectives regarding the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing”, in the rapporteur's view.
The new agreement was initialled in June 2015. It is a tuna agreement and protocol concluded for five years from the date of provisional application, that is, from the date of signature (see EUROPE 11330). The protocol provides for fishing opportunities in the following categories: 28 tuna seiners and 6 surface long-liners. It makes provision for an EU financial contribution of €715,000 for the first year, €650,000 for the second, third and fourth years, and €585,000 for the fifth year (with a reference tonnage of 6,500 tonnes). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)