EC/Seychelles fisheries agreement: protocol for the period from 18 January 1999 to 17 January 2002

PURPOSE: to conclude a new fishing protocol between the Community and the Seychelles for the period from 18/01/1999 to 17/01/2002. COMMUNITY MEASURE: Council regulation 1239/1999/EC on the conclusion of the protocol defining, for the period from 18/01/1999 to 17/01/2002, the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Seychelles on fishing off Seychelles. CONTENT: the protocol allows the granting of fishing licences for 47 freezer tuna seiners and 32 surface longliners operating in Seychelles waters. For its part, the Seychelles will receive EURO 2.3 million per year by way of compensation for a catch weight of 46,000 tonnes. If the catches exceed this quota, the Community will increase its financial compensation proportionately. Apart from this annual financial compensation, the Community must also provide financial support (totalling EURO 3.45 million over the period in question) to various actions in the field of fishing (Seychelles scientific and technical programmes, study and training grants, the setting up of a satellite tracking system as well as establishing a fund for the development of the local long-line fleet). The protocol also contains an annex which lays down the conditions for fishing by Community vessels (in particular with regard to the granting of fishing licences, catch declarations, boarding by observers and fishing zones). The regulation provides that fishing licences are to be divided among the following 5 Member States: Spain, France, Italy, the United Kingdom and Portugal. If requests for licences by these 5 States do not exhaust the fishing possibilities provided for, the Commission may consider licence requests from any other Member State. ENTRY INTO FORCE: the regulation will enter into force on 20/06/1999, while the protocol will enter into force once the parties concerned have been notified of all the necessary procedures to this end.�