05/07/2022 (Agence Europe) – The European Parliament approved, on Tuesday 5 July, the conclusion of a new protocol for the implementation of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Cook Islands. The report by Cláudia Monteiro de Aguiar (EPP, Portugal) was adopted with 477 votes in favour, 37 against and 117 abstentions. The new three-year protocol (see EUROPE 12771/9) allows four EU purse seiners access to Cook Islands waters for 100 days per year to fish for tuna and to apply for an additional 110 days if they so wish to. The EU’s financial contribution amounts to €700,000 per year, i.e. €2.1 million for a total of three years (of which €350,000 per year for support to the development of the sectoral fisheries policy in the Cook Islands). (LC)