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.

Regulation 2004/2003
OJ L 348 24.11.2004, p. 0001-0002

SP(2004)2350

The European Parliament adopted, by 415 votes for, 56 against and 67 abstentions, a resolution drafted by Philippe MORILLON (ALDE, FR) approving the Commission's proposal with a few amendments. (Please see the document of 01/09/04.) The Commission must forward to the European Parliament and to the Council a copy of the annual report referred to in the Protocol.

T6-0006/2004
OJ C 140 09.06.2005, p. 0059-0100 E

Results of vote in Parliament

The European Parliament adopted, by 415 votes for, 56 against and 67 abstentions, a resolution drafted by Philippe MORILLON (ALDE, FR) approving the Commission's proposal with a few amendments. (Please see the document of 01/09/04.) The Commission must forward to the European Parliament and to the Council a copy of the annual report referred to in the Protocol.

T6-0006/2004

A6-0001/2004

A6-0001/2004

The committee adopted the report by Philippe MORILLON (ALDE, FR) approving the proposal under the consultation procedure, subject to a few amendments. It stressed that protection of the EU's fisheries interests must go hand in hand with the sustainable management of fisheries resources and the development of coastal populations which depend on fisheries. The Commission was accordingly urged to continue assessing the sustainable nature of the agreement with Mauritius, to ensure that the funds were properly used for the purposes laid down in the agreement and to monitor the impact on the local population.

Other amendments reflected Parliament's traditional position on renewing fishing agreements, namely, that a general assessment report should be presented by the Commission before the beginning of negotiations in order to allow an evaluation of the costs and benefits of the fisheries agreement and protocol, with particular reference to the specific measures. Only after the report had been received and Parliament had given its opinion thereon should the Council authorise the Commission to enter into negotiations for a possible new Protocol.

PE346.908

COM(2004)0197
EUR-Lex

SEC(2004)0352
EUR-Lex

COM(2004)0197
EUR-Lex