09/11/23 (Agence Europe) – On Thursday 9 November, the European Parliament approved the conclusion of the new fisheries agreement between the EU and Madagascar, by adopting (513 votes in favour, 43 against and 38 abstentions) a report by Clara Aguilera (S&D, Spanish) on this text (see EUROPE 13279/37). The new agreement covers a period of four years from the date of its provisional application, which has been set for 1 July 2023. The agreement provides for the reference tonnage to be reduced from 15,750 to 14,000 tonnes per year. The number of authorised vessels is due to fall from 94 to 65. The quantity of sharks authorised to be caught is 220 t per year. The total cost of the new protocol over its four years of application is estimated at €12.9 million. (LC)