Brussels, 07/11/2006 (Agence Europe) - On 7 November, the EU Council of Ministers adopted without debate the decision on the new partnership agreement in the fisheries sector between the EU and Gabon (EUROPE 9250 on the European Commission's proposal). This is the most significant tuna fishing agreement ever signed between the EU and a third country. Valid for six years (from 3 December 2005 to 2 December 2011), the new agreement initialled between the parties on 28 October 2005 (EUROPE 9080), grants tuna fishing possibilities in favour of 24 freezer tuna seiners (12 for Spain and 12 for France) and 16 surface longliners (13 for Spain and 3 for Portugal). The financial compensation paid by the EU is €860,000 per year and the fees of EU ship owners could provide Gabon with additional revenue of around €142,000 annually. Furthermore, the agreement provides for the possibility of encouraging experimental fishing for deepwater species present in the waters of Gabon. (lc)