The European Commission announced, on Thursday 9 July, that the EU and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania had decided to extend the protocol to the existing Fisheries Partnership Agreement for one year until November 2021.
The Fisheries Agreement with Mauritania is the biggest mixed agreement for the EU, both in financial terms and in terms of fishing opportunities. It had already been extended for one year, up until November 2020 (see EUROPE 12487/15).
Despite intensions by the parties to agree on a new protocol, the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted the initial planning for the negotiations.
A one-year extension of the protocol has proved to be the “most pragmatic” approach, according to the Commission, to avoid interrupting the activity of EU fishing vessels in Mauritanian waters. The fishing opportunities remain the same, as do the financial contributions.
Meanwhile, negotiations for a new agreement and protocol will continue with a view to the adoption of a new ‘sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement’ before the expiration of the agreed extension.
The EU fleet is authorised to fish in Mauritanian waters for shrimps, demersal fish, tuna and small pelagics up to around 287,000 tonnes per year. In addition to the fees paid by the European fleet, the EU pays a financial contribution of €61.625 million per year, including over €4 million to support fisheries policy in Mauritania. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)