EC/Denmark/Greenland Fisheries Partnership Agreement: fishing opportunities and financial contribution from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2015. Protocol

PURPOSE: to conclude the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community on the one hand, and Denmark and the Home Rule Government of Greenland, on the other hand.

NON-LEGISLATIVE ACT : Council Decision 2014/48/EU on the conclusion of the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community, on the one hand, and the Government of Denmark and the Home Rule Government of Greenland, on the other hand

BACKGROUND: on 28 June 2007, the Council adopted Regulation (EC) No 753/2007 concerning the conclusion of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and Denmark and of Greenland. A Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement was attached thereto. The Protocol will expire on 31 December 2012.

The Union has negotiated with Denmark and Greenland a new Protocol to the Agreement setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution.  The Protocol was signed in accordance with Council Decision 2012/653/EU subject to its conclusion at a later date, and was provisionally applied from 1 January 2013.

It is now necessary to conclude the Protocol.

CONTENT : with this Decision, the Council concluded, with Parliament’s approval, the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community, on the one hand, and Denmark and Greenland, on the other hand,

The main provisions of the Protocol are as follows:

Fishing opportunities: the indicative level of fishing opportunities authorised by Greenland (in tonnes) to the European fleet has been set out by year from 2013 to 2015 for the following species in the zones specified in the Protocol:

·        cod;

·        pelagic redfish;

·        demersal redfish;

·        Greenland halibut

·        Northern prawn

·        Atlantic halibut;

·        snowcrab;

·        capelin;

·        grenadiers.

The levels of the fishing opportunities may be reviewed by the Joint Committee, taking into account available scientific advice, the precautionary approach, and the needs of the fishing industry. There are special provisions on Northern prawn.

By catch: the maximum quantities which may be taken as by-catch are limited to a rate of 10 % of the quota of the targeted stock as expressed in the fishing authorisation for all fishing activities, except for fishing activities targeting Northern Prawn where this rate is reduced to 5 %.

Financial contribution: the new Protocol provides for a total financial contribution of EUR 17  847 244 per year for the whole period. This amount corresponds to:

·        EUR 15.104.203 per year for the access to the Greenlandic EEZ

·        EUR 2.743.041 per year, corresponding to the additional envelop paid by the EU to support Greenland fisheries policy.

Duration: the Protocol covers a period of three years starting from 1 January 2013.

Specific provisions: there are provisions to ensure sustainable management of the fishery resources. The Joint Committee shall agree on a multiannual sectoral programme and detailed implementing rules. There are also provisions on scientific cooperation to ensure sustainable fishing.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: the Decision enters into force on 31.01.2014. The date of entry into force of the Protocol will be published in the Official Journal by the General Secretariat of the Council.