EC/Mauritania fisheries agreement: cooperation agreement on the sea fisheries

OBJECTIVE: conclusion of an agreement on cooperation in the sea fisheries sector between the European Community and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. SUBSTANCE: The current agreement, which was concluded for five years from 1 August 1996, governs relations between the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and the Community with regard to sea fisheries. The agreement begins by laying the foundations for cooperation between the two parties in the conservation of fish stocks and their exploitation. This cooperation, which may be achieved bilaterally or within the framework of international organizations, is as much scientific and technical as economic, commercial and industrial in nature. The agreement thus defines various activities geared to the sustainable development of the Mauritanian sea fisheries sector and support for activities relating to maritime training. For this purpose the Community will provide financial assistance amounting to ECU 1.05 million, according to the protocol attached to the agreement. The agreement also paves the way for Community fleets to fish in Mauritanian waters and specifies the conditions they must satisfy (holding of a licence, payment of a fee, communication of catch data, signing-on of Mauritanian seamen, submission to technical inspection). The main beneficiaries of the fishing opportunities presented by the agreement are Spain, Italy, Portugal and France. In return for these fishing opportunities Mauritania will receive declining financial compensation equivalent, for the duration of the agreement, to ECU 266.8 million, or an inclusive annual payment of between ECU 55 and 51 million. �