Explanatory Memorandum to COM(2007)472 - Conclusion of the fisheries agreement with Mozambique

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dossier COM(2007)472 - Conclusion of the fisheries agreement with Mozambique.
source COM(2007)472 EN
date 16-08-2007
The Community and the Republic of Mozambique have negotiated and initialled on 21 December 2006 a Fisheries Partnership Agreement which provides Community fishermen with fishing opportunities in the Mozambique fishing zone. This Partnership Agreement, accompanied by a Protocol and the Annex thereto, has been signed for a period of five years from its entry into force and is renewable. On the date of its entry into force, this Agreement repeals and replaces the Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Mozambique on fishing off the coast of Mozambique and related protocol which entered into force on 1 January 2004.

The Commission’s negotiating position was based in part on the results of an ex-post and ex-ante evaluation carried out by external experts.

The main objective of the new Partnership Agreement is to strengthen cooperation between the European Community and the Republic of Mozambique, thereby creating a framework of partnership in which to develop a sustainable fisheries policy and responsible exploitation of fisheries resources in the Mozambique fishing zone, in the interests of both parties. The two Parties are taking part in a political dialogue on topics of mutual interest in the fisheries sector. Within this new Fisheries Partnership Agreement, special attention will be given to supporting the fisheries policy of Mozambique. The two parties will agree on the priorities to be decided upon for such support and identify the objectives, the annual and multiannual programming and the criteria to assess the results to be obtained, with a view to ensuring a sustainable and responsible management of the sector.

The financial contribution is fixed at € 900 000 per year. It shall entirely be allocated to the support and implementation of initiatives taken in the context of the sectoral fisheries policy drawn up by the Government of Mozambique.

As regards fishing possibilities for EC vessels, 44 purse seine vessels and 45 surface long-liners shall be allowed to fish. The Protocol fixes a reference tonnage of 10 000 tonnes of tuna per year. It is established that the EC fishing effort in Mozambique EEZ will have to be in line with appropriate tuna stock assessments based on scientific criteria, including the scientific overviews conducted by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC).

The Partnership Agreement will also promote economic, scientific and technical cooperation in the fisheries sector and related sectors.

The Commission proposes on this basis that the Council adopt the conclusion of this new Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Mozambique by Regulation.