Brussels, 19/10/2005 (Agence Europe) - On 17 October, the European Commission adopted a draft fisheries agreement on tuna fishing initialled in May 2004 between the EU and the Central Western Pacific ('the Federated States of Micronesia', FSM) (see EUROPE 8710). The Central Western Pacific is the richest tuna fishery ground in the world. The three-year agreement, due to come into force at the beginning of next year, provides for 75% of the agreed refrigerated purse seine vessel tuna fishing to be allocated to Spain, with the remaining 25% for France. Spain will be able to operate 8 surface longliners and Portugal 4. Some EUR 559,000 a year will be paid from the EU budget to FSM, 18% of this funding measures to ensure the sustainability of local fishing stocks. EC ship-owners will pay fishing fees of EUR 15,000 per purse seine vessel and EUR 4,200 per long-liner vessel. The Council and European Parliament will need to adopt the agreement so its can come into force.