On Thursday 18 June, the European Parliament approved three fisheries agreements signed by the EU with non-Member States.
Parliament ratified (589 votes in favour, 51 against and 48 abstentions) the new terms of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe and the European Community (see EUROPE 12317/7). The Protocol covers a period of five years and provides for fishing opportunities in the following categories: 28 freezer tuna seiners (16 for Spain and 12 for France) and six surface longliners (five for Spain and one licence for Portugal). The annual EU financial contribution amounts to 840,000 euros.
The agreement with the Republic of Guinea-Bissau (approved with 537 votes in favour, 64 against and 87 abstentions) benefits around 50 EU vessels targeting demersal species as well as tuna and small pelagic species. The annual EU financial contribution to the Government of Guinea-Bissau amounts to 15.6 million euros (see EUROPE 12408/33).
Finally, Parliament gave its green light (510 votes in favour, 127 against and 51 abstentions) to the agreement with Cape Verde (see EUROPE 12430/23). The Protocol provides for fishing opportunities in the following categories: 28 freezer tuna seiners, 27 surface longliners and 14 pole-and-line tuna vessels. The annual financial contribution from the EU is 750,000 euros. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)