Brussels, 14/03/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 13 March, the European Union (represented by the European Commission) and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania initialled a new protocol to their fisheries partnership agreement. Fishing possibilities and the financial compensation paid by the EU to Mauritanian authorities have been lowered. The new arrangements of the agreement will cover the period from 1 August 2008 to 31 July 2012.
Fishing possibilities. Fishing possibilities have been reduced by 25% for cephalopods (octopus), and the number of vessels authorised to fish for these species will fall from 43 to 32. Fishing possibilities will fall by 10% to 50% for vessels targeting demersal species, which live close to the sea floor). The number of vessels allowed to catch small pelagic (mid-water) species (such as anchovy) has been reduced by 43%, with a corresponding reduction in total tonnage caught from the current 440,000 tonnes to 250,000. European vessels' fishing effort on these sensitive species has also been considerably reduced from the current protocol. Fishing possibilities for cephalopods have been reduced in total by 55% in under two years. Both parties also agreed to examine additional technical measures that could be put in place to reduce overall fishing effort. Fishing rights for shrimps and shellfish remain the same.
Financial compensation. The EU's financial compensation will now be €305 million over the four-year period of the protocol, i.e. €76.25 million per year (rather than €86 million per year under the current protocol), to which will be added an additional €15 million per year from licences. The amount earmarked for the development of the national fisheries sector and promotion of sustainable fisheries in Mauritanian waters has been substantially increased compared with the €10 million per year provided for in the current protocol. €16.25 million will be allocated to support the main components of the “2008-2012 new management strategy for the fishing and aquaculture sector”. This support should be of benefit particularly to the future development of Mauritania's fishing industry and the national fleet, in particular the small-scale sector.
The new protocol responds better to Mauritania's needs in terms of sustainable development of its national fisheries sector, and also takes account of the changes in the European fleet operating in Mauritanian waters, says the Commission in a press release. The new arrangements aim, in particular, to enhance investment, including by European businesses, in the Mauritanian fisheries sector. (L.C.)