EC/Mauritius fisheries agreement: protocol for the period from 3 December 2003 to 2 December 2007

PURPOSE : the conclusion of a Fishing Protocol between the European Economic Community and the Government of Mauritius to last from 3 December 2003 to 2 December 2007.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Regulation 2003/2004/EC on the conclusion of the Protocol defining, for the period 3 December 2003 to 2 December 2007, the fishing opportunities and the financial compensation provided for by the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Government of Mauritius on fishing in Mauritian waters.

CONTENT : the purpose of this legislative act is to define a new Protocol between the EU and the Government of Mauritius on fishing in Mauritian waters. The newly agreed Protocol covers the period 3 December 2003 to 2 December 2004. The text of the Protocol is attached to the Regulation. In accordance with the Protocol the following fishing possibilities shall be accorded:

- Tuna seiners: licences for 41 vessels;

- Surface long-liners: licences for 49 vessels;

- Vessels fishing by line: licences for 25 GRT/month on an annual average.

The fishing opportunities fixed in the Protocol shall be allocated among the Member States as follows:

- Tuna seiners: France 16, Spain 22, Italy 2, United Kingdom 1.

- Surface long-liners: Spain 19, France 23, Portugal 7.

- Vessels fishing by line: France 25 GRT per month on an annual average.

If licence applications from the aforementioned Member States do not cover all the fishing opportunities fixed by the Protocol, the Commission may consider licence applications from any other Member State.

Financial compensation has been fixed at EUR 487 500 per year and shall cover the catch weight in water of Mauritius of 6 5000 tonnes of catches per year. Part of the financial compensation, namely EUR 195 000, shall annually be earmarked for financing scientific research into areas such as sustainable and responsible fishing.

An annex is attached to the Protocol in which provisions regarding licence application and validity, transhipments, declaration of catches and the status of observers is detailed. Other issues covered by the annex include inspection regimes, the employment of seamen, fishing zones, supply to fishing zones, sanctions and procedures to be taken in case of boarding.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: The Regulation enters into force on 27/11/2004. The Protocol and the Annex enter into force on the date of its signature and shall apply from 3 December 2003.