EC/Madagascar fisheries agreement: protocol for the period from 21 May 1998 to 20 May 2001

OBJECTIVE: conclusion of a new protocol on fisheries between the Community and Madagascar for the period 21 May 1998 to 20 May 2001. SUBSTANCE: The protocol, which was initialled by both parties on 5 March 1998, allows Community vessels to obtain a licence to fish in Madagascar waters on payment of annual fees (ECU 20 per tonne caught). These licences are granted according to category of vessel and on completion of specific administrative formalities laid down in the fisheries agreement for 45 freezer tuna seiners and 30 surface longliners. At the request of the Community, authorisation may be granted for other categories of fishing vessel under conditions to be laid down in the joint committee set up by the Agreement. Community shipowners must declare their catches and take Malagasy observers and seamen on board. In compensation for these fishing opportunities, the Community will grant financial compensation to Madagascar of ECU 912 000 for the duration of the protocol, to cover an annual catch of 9 500 tonnes of tuna. Above this amount, financial compensation will increase by ECU 50 per additional tonne. The Community will also finance a number of measures in connection with fisheries, such as a scientific and technical programme to improve knowledge of fisheries resources in the country, study grants for Malagasy nationals, assistance towards fisheries surveillance, assistance in the development of traditional fisheries, etc., for a total amount of ECU 1 368 000 for the three years in which the protocol is valid. The fishing opportunities opened up by the agreement are allocated among the Member States as follows: 42 vessels for Spain, 26 vessels for France, 3 vessels for Italy and 4 vessels for Portugal. If these vessels do not exhaust all the fishing opportunities, the Commission may take into consideration licence applications from any other Member State. �