PURPOSE: The Conclusion of a fishing Protocol between the European Economic Community and the Islamic Federal Republic of the Comoros.
LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Regulation 1660/2005/EC of 6 October 2006 on the conclusion of the Protocol setting our the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Islamic Federal Republic of the Comoros on fishing off the Comoros for the period from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2010.
CONTENT: The new Protocol sets out the fishing opportunities as well as the financial contributions provided for in the Agreement between the EEC and the Islamic Federal Republic of the Comoros on fishing off the Comoros. It is to last from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2010. The fishing opportunities among the Member States are:
Tuna seiners:
- Spain: 21 vessels
- France: 18 vessels
- Italy: 1 vessel
Surface long-liners:
- Spain: 12 vessels
- Portugal: 5 vessels
In cases where licence applications from the Member States listed above do not cover all the fishing opportunities, the Commission may take licence applications from other Member States into consideration. Those Member States making use of this Protocol are obliged to notify the Commission of the quantities of each stock taken in the Comorian fishing zone.
As far as the financial contribution is concerned, the following provisions apply:
- The financial contribution will be EUR 2 340 000. The Community will pay the financial contribution at the rate of EUR 390 000 per year. In cases where the total quantity of catches exceeds 6000 tonnes per year, the total amount paid by the Community shall be increased by EUR 65 for each additional tonne caught. The total amount paid by the Community will not exceed twice the amount indicated, namely EUR 780 000.
- The fishing opportunities may be increased depending on scientific advice pertaining to the sustainable management of Comorian fish-stocks.
- A share of 60% of the financial contribution shall be put towards defining and implementing a sectoral fisheries policy in the Comoros with a view to introducing responsible fishing in its waters.
ENTRY INTO FORCE: The Regulation enters into force on 15 October 2005, whilst the Protocol with its Annexes enters into force on the date on which the parties notify each other of the completion of procedures necessary for its implementation.