Brussels, 10/10/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 9 October, the European Commission adopted proposals setting out the detail of a new Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and Guinea Bissau in Africa from 16 June 2007 to 15 June 2011. The two sides initialled a draft agreement on 23 May 2007 (see EUROPE 9432). When the new agreement comes into force, it will replace the bilateral fisheries agreement between the two parties which came into force on 29 August 1980.
The EU and Guinea Bissau have undertaken 'to ensure the sustainable exploitation of resources and the control and surveillance of Guinea Bissau fishing zones, and to work towards building up institutional capacities' in Guinea Bissau. 'To this end, a multiannual sectoral programme adopted by the government, which aims to promote responsible sustainable fishing, will be presented at a national conference before the end of 2007 at which the European Community will be represented.'
The EU's financial contribution (payments for the right to exploit fishing resources) is fixed at €7 million a year. Some 35% of this, €3.45m, will be allocated to the support and implementation of initiatives taken by the Guinea Bissau government to support its fishing industry policy. A special additional contribution of €500,000 a year will be targetted at improving the health and hygiene conditions of fishery products. The Protocol will also contain a financial mechanism, with a maximum allocation of €1m a year, aiming to improve the use of fishing opportunities by shipowners.
In terms of fishing opportunities, 19 seiners (10 from Spain and 9 from France), 14 pole-and-line vessels (10 from Spain and 4 from France) and 4 surface longliners (from Portugal) will be allowed to fish, as well as shrimp trawlers (from Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal) and fin-fish/cephalopod trawlers (form Spain, Italy and Greece), with a total of 4,400 gross registered tonnes (GRT) per category.
At the request of the EU, exploratory fishing trips may be carried out under the agreement. If they are conclusive, the parties may decide to award new fishing opportunities to EU vessels. The Fisheries Partnership Agreement also provides for encouraging economic, scientific and technical cooperation in the fisheries and related industries. (lc)