06/06/2019 (Agence Europe) – On Tuesday 4 June, the European Commission adopted a proposal asking the Council of the EU to give it a mandate to negotiate a new Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the EU and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. The current Protocol (2015-2019) expires on 16 November 2019. The EU fleet is allowed to fish in Mauritanian waters for shrimp, demersal fish, tuna and small pelagic fish, up to a total of 287 050 tonnes a year. In addition to the fees paid by the European fleet, the EU pays a financial contribution of €61.625 million per year to Mauritania, comprising €57.5 million for access to its waters and €4.125 million for supporting local fishing communities in Mauritania and improving fisheries governance. (LC)