OBJECTIVE: to conclude a new fisheries protocol between the European Community and Mauritius, establishing the technical and financial conditions under which Community fishing vessels can fish in Mauritius waters in the period 1 December 1996 to 30 November 1999.
COMMUNITY MEASURE: Council Regulation (EC) No 1975/97 on the conclusion of the Protocol fixing, for the period 1 December 1996 to 30 November 1999, the fishing opportunities and the financial consideration provided for in the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Government of Mauritius on fishing in Mauritian waters
CONTENT: the protocol provides for the following fishing opportunities, which can be increased if necessary by the Joint Committee which manages the Protocol:
- licences for 43 ocean-going tuna seiners;
- licences for 100GRT/month on an annual average for vessels fishing by line (except tuna trollers and tuna surface longliners, which may be granted licences on a case by case basis).
In compensation Mauritius will receive:
- financial compensation of ECU 1 218 750 for a catch weight of 7 500 tonnes of tuna fished per year. In excess of this tonnage, additional compensation of ECU 50 will be paid for each additional tonne caught;
- a contribution of ECU 418 000 towards the financing of scientific and technical programmes for fisheries development;
- awards for study and practical training for Mauritian fishermen of ECU 110 000. Of this amount, ECU 30 000 may be used by the Mauritian authorities to cover the cost of attending international meetings relating to fisheries.
The Annex to the Protocol contains the conditions for the pursuit of fishing activities by Community vessels in the waters of Mauritius (licence issuing formalities, validity of licences, taking observers on board, fishing zones etc.).
ENTRY INTO FORCE: the Regulation will enter into force on 14 October 1997; the Protocol will only enter into force once all the parties have made the necessary notifications.�