Brussels, 25/10/2002 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission and the Republic of Mozambique have initialled a new fisheries agreement in Maputo. This agreement and its protocol will become applicable on the 1st January of the year following their adoption by the Council, expected some time next year, for a period of three years. This protocol will provide fishing possibilities for tuna and deep-water shrimp for a total of 59 EU vessels. The financial compensation which will be entirely dedicated to targeted measures to strengthen Mozambique's efforts at ensuring sustainable fishing amounts to EUR 4,090,000 per year, allocated as follows: EUR 1.5 million to develop Mozambique's institutional capacity in fisheries management, EUR 1 million to strengthen surveillance and control of fishing activities, EUR 1 million for scientific research, EUR 430,000 for training, EUR 100,000 for quality control of fisheries products, and EUR 60,000 for Mozambique's representation in joint committee meetings and other international meetings.
For tuna, the new protocol will provide fishing opportunities for tuna for 49 vessels: 35 freezer seiners and 14 surface long-liners. On the basis of Mozambique's reliable scientific data, part of the surplus of deep-water shrimps has been allocated to EU vessels. Up to 10 vessels will be allowed to fish for deep-water shrimp up to a maximum quantity of 1,000 tonnes per year. By-catches of up to 535 tonnes will also be allowed including 100 tonnes of prawns, 75 tonnes of cephalopods, 240 tonnes of fish and 120 tonnes of crab. Vessels which will operate under this protocol come from Spain, Portugal, France, Italy and Greece. In addition to control and monitoring of their fishing activities, EU vessels will become subject to control through the satellite vessel monitoring system (VMS). They will have to fish beyond the 12-mile coastal band. Catch reporting on shrimp will be closely monitored by the Commission to ensure that the total allowable catches set in this fishery are respected. Shrimp vessel owners will have to ensure that half their crews are made up of local fishermen. Representatives of the European Union and Mozambique will meet every year to monitor application of the criteria in the agreement.