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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: to conclude a new fisheries protocol between the European Union and the Seychelles.

NON-LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision 2011/474/EU on the conclusion of the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Seychelles.

BACKGROUND: the European Union negotiated with the Seychelles a new Protocol to the Partnership Agreement, providing EU vessels with fishing opportunities in the waters over which Seychelles have sovereignty or jurisdiction in respect of fisheries. On conclusion of those negotiations, the Protocol was initialled on 3 June 2010 and was amended by an Exchange of Letters on 29 October 2010.

In accordance with Council Decision 2010/814/EU, the Protocol was signed on 20 December 2010 on behalf of the Union and is being provisionally applied.

It is now necessary to conclude the Protocol on behalf of the Union.

CONTENT: under this Decision, the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Seychelles is hereby approved on behalf of the Union.

The Protocol also sets out the main provisions:

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 16.8 million for the whole period.

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 6.76 million per year.

Duration: the a new Protocol 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.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: the Decision will enter into force on 28 July 2011. The date of entry into force of the Protocol will be published in the Official Journal of the European.