EU/Mauritius Fisheries Partnership Agreement: implementing the Agreement (2022-2026). Protocol

PURPOSE: to conclude the Protocol implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Mauritius (2022-2026).

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act. 

BACKGROUND: the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Mauritius was concluded by Council Decision 2014/146/EU and entered into force on 28 January 2014.

The Protocol for the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Mauritius (2022-2026) was signed subject to its conclusion at a later date.

CONTENT: the purpose of this draft Council is to approve, on behalf of the Union, the Protocol for the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Mauritius (2022-2026).

The objective of the Protocol is to enable the European Union and Mauritius to work more closely together in promoting cooperation in the field of ocean economy, aquaculture, sustainable development of the oceans, maritime spatial planning, marine energy and the marine environment, maritime policy development and the blue economy, while contributing to decent working conditions in the fisheries sector.

Fishing opportunities

The fishing opportunities granted under Article 5 of the Agreement for highly migratory species (as listed in Annex 1 to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) are as follows:

- 40 purse seine vessels; and

- 45 surface longliners.

Mauritius will authorise EU supply vessels to assist in the operations of Union vessels authorised in Mauritius waters within the limits and terms of applicable IOTC resolutions on supply vessels.

Financial contribution

The total financial contribution is fixed at EUR 2 900 000.

This total financial contribution will comprise:

- an annual amount of EUR 275 000 equivalent to a reference tonnage of 5 500 tonnes per year for access to Mauritian waters

- a specific amount of EUR 275 000 per year for the support and implementation of the sectoral fisheries policy of Mauritius; and

- an additional amount of EUR 175 000 to support the development of the maritime policy and the development of the blue economy.

The Commission is empowered to approve, on behalf of the Union, amendments to the Protocol adopted by the Joint Committee set up under Article 9 of the Agreement. The Commission will ensure that the approval on behalf of the Union:

- is in accordance with the objectives of the common fisheries policy;

- is consistent with the relevant rules adopted by regional fisheries management organisations and takes account of joint management by coastal States;

- takes account of the latest statistical, biological and other relevant information sent to the Commission.

The procedure for the approval of amendments to the Protocol to be adopted by the Joint Committee is described in the Annex to the draft Council Decision.