Decision 2018/754 - Conclusion of the Protocol to the fisheries agreement with Mauritius setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution - Main contents

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 128/1

On 28 January 2014, the Council adopted Decision 2014/146/EU on the conclusion of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Mauritius (2) (‘the Agreement’).

The first Protocol (3) to the Agreement set out, for a period of three years, the fishing opportunities granted to Union vessels in the fishing zone under the sovereignty or jurisdiction of the Republic of Mauritius (‘Mauritius’) and the financial contribution granted by the Union. The period of application of that Protocol expired on 27 January 2017.

In accordance with Council Decision (EU) 2017/1960 (4), a new Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Mauritius (5) (‘the Protocol’) was signed on 8 December 2017, subject to its conclusion at a later date.

The Protocol has been applied on a provisional basis since the date of its signature.

The objective of the Protocol is to enhance cooperation between the Union and Mauritius to promote a sustainable fisheries policy and sound exploitation of fisheries resources in Mauritius waters and to support Mauritius in the development of its sustainable ocean economy.

The Protocol should be approved.

Article 9 of the Agreement establishes the Joint Committee responsible for monitoring the application of the Agreement (‘the Joint Committee’). Furthermore, in accordance with Article 5, Article 6(2) and Articles 7 and 8 of the Protocol, the Joint Committee is able to approve certain amendments to the Protocol. In order to facilitate the approval of such amendments, the Commission should be empowered, subject to specific conditions, to approve them under a simplified procedure,

(1)

The Commission shall be authorised to negotiate with the Republic of Mauritius and, where appropriate and subject to compliance with point (3) of this Annex, agree on amendments to the Protocol in respect of the following issues:

(2)

In the Joint Committee, the Union shall:

(3)

When a decision on amendments to the Protocol referred to in point (1) is foreseen to be adopted during a Joint Committee meeting, the necessary steps shall be taken so as to ensure that the position to be taken on behalf of the Union takes account of the latest statistical, biological and other relevant information transmitted to the Commission.

To that effect and based on that information, a document setting out the particulars of the proposed Union position shall be transmitted by the Commission services, in sufficient time before the relevant Joint Committee meeting, to the Council or to its preparatory bodies for consideration and approval.

(4)

In respect of the issues referred to in point (1)(a), the approval of the envisaged Union position by the Council shall require a qualified majority of votes. In the other cases, the Union position envisaged in the preparatory document shall be deemed to be agreed, unless a number of Member States equivalent to a blocking minority objects during a meeting of the Council's preparatory body or within 20 days of receipt of the preparatory document, whichever occurs earlier. In the case of such an objection, the matter shall be referred to the Council.

(5)

If, in the course of further meetings, including on the spot, it is impossible to reach an agreement in order for the Union position to take account of new elements, the matter shall be referred to the Council or its preparatory bodies.

(6)

The Commission is invited to take, in due time, any steps necessary as a follow-up to the decision of the Joint Committee, including, where appropriate, the publication of the relevant decision in the Official Journal of the European Union and the submission of any proposal necessary for the implementation of that decision.