Brussels, 03/05/2004 (Agence Europe) - On 29 April, the Council of Ministers of the EU adopted without debate the decision to extend by one year, until 30 June 2005, the protocol to the fishing agreement signed between the Communities and Cape Verde (see details in EUROPE of 29 October 2003). The fishing opportunities refer mainly to tuna, and, to a lesser extent, to demersal (deep-sea) species. Spanish, French and Portuguese boats operate, under the terms of the agreement.
Fishing opportunities are: 62 surface longliners, 37 tuna purse seiners and 18 pole-and-line vessels for tuna fishing; for demersal species, bottom longliners may carry out their activities to a limit of 630 gross registered tonnes (GRT) per month as an annual average. The financial contribution of the Community budget will be 680,000 EUR per annum, including 42% (280,000 EUR) for specific measures such as the regulatory and surveillance measures for fishing activities, and support for the quality and control of fishery products.