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EU/Seychelles Fisheries Partnership Agreement: fishing opportunities and financial contribution from 18 January 2011 to 17 January 2014. Protocol

2010/0335(NLE)

PURPOSE: the conclusion of a new fisheries protocol between the European Union and the Seychelles.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: on the basis of a Council mandate, the Commission on behalf of the European Union negotiated with the Republic of Seychelles in view of renewing the Protocol to the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Seychelles. Following these negotiations, a new Protocol was initialled on the 3 June 2010 and amended by exchange of letters on 29 October 2010. It covers a period of three years starting form the adoption of the Council decision on the Protocol's signing and provisional application and after expiry of the current Protocol, on 17 January 2011.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact analysis was carried out.

LEGAL BASE: Article 43 in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

CONTENT: this proposal for a Decision relates to the conclusion of a new Protocol to the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the EU and the Seychelles.

Sustainable fishing: the new Protocol complies with the objectives of the Partnership Agreement in the fishing sector which seek to strengthen cooperation between the EU and the Seychelles and to promote a framework of partnership facilitating the development of a sustainable fishing policy and responsible exploitation of fishery resources in the Seychelles' fishing zone in the interests of both Parties.

The two Parties agreed to cooperate with a view to implementing Seychelles' sectoral fisheries policy and to that end shall continue the policy dialogue on the relevant programming.

Financial contribution: the new Protocol provides for a total financial contribution of EUR 16 800 000 for the whole period, i.e. a period of three years starting form the adoption of the Council decision on the Protocol's signing and provisional application and after expiry of the current Protocol, on 17 January 2011.

This amount corresponds to:

  • EUR 3 380 000 per year equivalent to an annual reference tonnage of 52 000 tonnes, and
  • EUR 2 220 000 per year, corresponding to the additional envelop paid by the EU to support Seychelles' fisheries and maritime policy.

Fishing opportunities: this Protocol also provides annual authorisations to fish in the Seychelles' fishing zone for 48 purse seine vessels and 12 longliners. These opportunities may be increased. Thus, if the volume of annual catches exceeds 52 000 tonnes, the amount of the financial contribution is increased proportionately at the rate of EUR 65/tonne, but it may not exceed EUR 6 760 000 per year.

However, the total annual amount to be paid by the European Union cannot exceed a sum more than double the amount of the financial contribution for which provision is made.

Duration: a new Protocol was initialled on the 3 June 2010 and amended by exchange of letters on 29 October 2010. It covers a period of three years starting form the adoption of the Council decision on the Protocol's signing and provisional application and after expiry of the current Protocol, on 17 January 2011.

It should be noted that this procedure is launched in parallel with the procedures regarding the Council Decision, on the Protocol's signing on behalf of the European Union and its provisional application, and the Council Regulation concerning the allocation of the fishing opportunities among the Member States under this Protocol.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATION: the total financial allocation for this fisheries Protocol will be EUR 17.1739 million over the period 2011-2013, including administrative expenditure for the management of the protocol and human resources.

The advances and fees payable by shipowners to the Seychelles represent:

  • purse seiners: a flat rate amount of EUR 61 000 per vessel per year payable in two instalments: 50% at the time of application of fishing authorisation and 50% within 100 days after the start of the validity period of the fishing authorisation.
  • long liners: vessels above 250 GRT: EUR 4 200 equivalent to EUR 35 per tonne for 120 tonnes of tuna and tuna-like species; vessels below 250 GRT: EUR 3 150 equivalent to EUR 35 per tonne for 90 tonnes of tuna and tuna-like species.

These advances and fees have no impact on the EU’s budget.