EC/Seychelles Fisheries Partnership Agreement

PURPOSE: the approval of a Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the EU and the Republic of Seychelles.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Regulation 1562/2006/EC concerning the conclusion of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Seychelles.

CONTENT:  in 1987, the EC and the Republic of Seychelles concluded an Agreement on fishing of the Seychelles. In 2005 negotiations started on a Fisheries Partnership Agreement. The purpose of this Regulation is to approve the Fisheries Partnership Agreement, which will last for six years and which can be renewed unless notice of termination is given.

The Agreement provides for improved economic, financial, technical and scientific co-operation in the fisheries sector with a view to guaranteeing the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources. It also establishes partnership between undertakings with a view to developing economic activities in the fisheries sector and in related activities of common interest.

The main provisions of the Agreement, which is attached to the Regulation, are as follows:

Scope: The Agreement sets out the principles, rules and procedures that govern economic, financial, technical and scientific co-operation; access to Seychelles’ water by Community fishing vessels; arrangement for policing; and the setting up of company partnerships.

Principles: Both parties agree to promote responsible fishing; they agree to co-operate on defining and implementing a sectoral fisheries policy and on carrying out regular evaluation; they agree to implementing the Agreement according to good economic practice and social governance; and they agree that seamen from the Seychelles, who are employed by Community vessels, will be regulated according to standards set by the ILO.

Statistical co-operation: both the Community and the Republic of Seychelles agree to monitor the evolution of resources in the fishing zone off the Seychelles through joint scientific meetings that will be held annually.

Community access: Community vessels will be given access to the fishing zones off the Seychelles. Community fishing activities will be subject to the laws and regulations in force in the Seychelles.

Licences: Community vessels will only be allowed to fish in the waters off the Seychelles if they are in possession of a fishing licence issued under this Agreement.

Financial Contribution: the Community agrees to pay a single financial contribution, which is set out in the Protocol attached to this Agreement. The single contribution is composed of two related elements. Firstly, access by Community vessels to the fishing off the Seychelles and secondly, supporting responsible and sustainable fishing.

In other provisions, the Agreement sets out the terms and conditions for terminating or suspending the Agreement as well as setting up a Joint Committee the purpose of which is to monitor the application of the Agreement.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 23 October 2006.