The EU and the Cook Islands have reached agreement on the terms of the new fisheries partnership agreement (see EUROPE 11519).
The first joint committee meeting within the framework of this bilateral agreement ended successfully on 29 November, the European Commission said in a press release published on 2 December. The parties defined the financial support to be granted by the EU for the development of the Cook Islands’ fisheries sector and discussed fisheries matters to allow for the start of fishing operations by EU vessels.
The new agreement will allow up to four EU vessels (three Spanish and one French) to fish up to 7,000 tonnes of tuna and other highly migratory species per year in the Cook Islands’ fishing area. In return, the EU will pay the Cook Islands €2.87 million, €1.47 million of which is in exchange for access to the resources, while the rest is specifically earmarked for the local fishing sector. Over the next four years the Cook Islands will be able to invest the €1.4 million on improving the living standard of small-scale fishermen, reinforcing control and surveillance operations, strengthening the food safety authority and sharpening the sustainability of their fisheries policies.
The joint committee also reviewed the procedures for issuing fishing authorisations and catch reporting, and also the boundaries of the fishing area accessible to EU vessels. EU vessels will implement an electronic observer scheme on board on a voluntary basis. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)