The closure concerns pelagic freezer trawlers under the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the EU and Mauritania fishing mainly for pelagic species such as sardine, sardinella and mackerel.
The concerned Member States (Netherlands, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, United Kingdom and Germany) have been informed of this decision, which became effective early on 24 April 2012.
The catches by EU vessels have been closely monitored since 1 April, to prevent overfishing. The Member States have been kept regularly informed of the quota evolution.
The fisheries partnership agreement between the EU and Mauritania covers the period 1.8.2006 -31.7.2012 with a financial contribution fixed at 86 million for the first year out of which 11 million was dedicated to the support of the fisheries policy of Mauritania. This fisheries agreement allows EU vessels from 12 EU countries to fish in Mauritanian waters.
EU Mauritania Pelagic Fishery Closed as Quota Full
EU and MAURITANIA - The European Commission has decided to close the pelagic fishery by EU vessels in the waters of Mauritania, as the annual EU quota set at 252,654 tonnes is nearly exhausted.
by Lucy Towers
