11/12/23 (Agence Europe) – On Monday 11 December, the EU Council adopted without debate the decision on the conclusion of the new fisheries agreement between the EU and Madagascar (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)