Brussels, 24/05/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 23 May, the European Union and Guinea Bissau initialled a new fisheries partnership agreement, which will cover a renewable period of four years. Fishing possibilities granted to Spanish, French, Italian, Greek and Portuguese vessels will remain the same as they are at present for shrimp (4,400 gross registered tonnage, GRT), fish and cephalopods (4,400 GRT), but will be dramatically reduced for tuna. The number of licences granted to the EU for tuna vessels will be reduced from 70 to 37 (23 for tuna seiners and surface longliners and 14 for pole-and-line vessels). The Community annual financial contribution will be €7 million. In addition, the EU will pay an annual contribution of €500,000 to improve sanitary conditions in the fisheries sector and to reinforce monitoring, control and surveillance in the waters of Guinea Bissau. (lc)