The Committee on Fisheries adopted the recommendation by Peter Van DALEN (ECR, NL) on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Protocol between the European Union and the Republic of Cape Verde setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for in the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and this country.
Members called on the European Parliament to give its consent to the conclusion of the Protocol.
The main purpose of the Protocol to the Agreement is to grant fishing opportunities to Union vessels in the fishing zone of the Republic of Cape Verde, in accordance with the best scientific opinions available and the recommendations of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), where applicable within the limits of the available surplus.
Sharks: Members recalled in the Protocol the parties agreed to a strict monitoring mechanism in order to ensure sustainable exploitation of the resource. This mechanism shall, in particular, be based on a quarterly exchange of data on shark catches. If such catches exceed the threshold of 30% of the reference tonnage reinforced monitoring shall be set up. If the shark catches exceed the threshold of 40% the Joint Committee shall adopt further management measures, where appropriate.