EC/Guinea-Bissau fisheries agreement: protocol for the period from 16 June 2001 to 15 June 2006

PURPOSE : to conclude the new Protocol of the fishing Agreement between the EC and Guinea-Bissau. COMMUNITY MEASURE : Council Regulation 2002/249/EC on the conclusion of the Protocol establishing the fishing opportunities and the compensation provided for in the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Government of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau on fishing off the coast of Guinea-Bissau for the period 16 June 2001 to 15 June 2006. CONTENT : the Council adopted a regulation concerning the application of the Protocol setting for the period 16 June 2001 to 15 June 2006, fishing opportunities and the compensation provided in the Agreement. The new Protocol which was initialled by both parties on 30 May 2001 provides for fishing opportunities comprising 12 400 GRT for trawler fishing (200 GRT less than under the previous Protocol, or -1.5%), divided into 9 600 GRT for shrimp fishing and 2 800 GRT for fin-fish and cephalopods. For tuna, fishing opportunities for tuna seiners have increased from 37 to 40 vessels (+8%), while those for pole-and-line tuna vessels and surface longliners have decreased from 52 to 36 vessels (-30%). Under the new Protocol (2001-06), the Community will pay total compensation of EUR 51 million (over five years): EUR 10 million in the first three years and EUR 10.5 million in the final two years, as against EUR 9 million per year under the 1997-2001 Protocol. The Regulation identifies the fishing opportunities provided for in the Protocol for Italy, Spain, Portugal and Greece. If licence applications from the Member States do not cover all the fishing opportunities fixed by the Protocol, the Commission may consider licence applications from any other Member State. ENTRY INTO FORCE : 13/02/02.�