The FPA in the fisheries sector between the EU and Gabon was concluded in 2006. The main objective of the protocol to this agreement is to define the fishing opportunities for EU vessels in Gabonese waters within the limits of the available surplus, in accordance with the best available scientific advice and recommendations of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). The protocol also establishes the financial contribution due, separately, for access rights and for sectoral support.
Following negotiations, a new protocol was signed by the Council and Gabon in July 2013. In order to allow EU vessels to carry out fishing activities, the new protocol applied on a provisional basis since then, pending the completion of the procedures for its formal conclusion. The new protocol covers a period of three years from the date of provisional application. The European Parliament gave its consent for the conclusion of this protocol on 5 February 2014.
Partnership between EU and Madagascar
The Council adopted a decision authorising the Commission to open negotiations on behalf of the EU for a renewal of the protocol to the fisheries partnership agreement (FPA) with Madagascar.
The current protocol should apply until December 2014. The new protocol between the EU and Madagascar should be in line with the Council conclusions of 19 March 2012 on the Commission
communication of 13 July 2011 on the external dimension of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) as well as Regulation No 1380/2013 on the CFP1.
Access to Mayotte waters for fishing vessels from the Seychelles
The Council adopted a decision on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, and on the provisional application of the agreement between the European Union and the Republic of the Seychelles on access for fishing vessels flying the flag of the Seychelles to waters and marine biological resources of Mayotte, under the jurisdiction of the EU (7953/14).
This agreement follows the status change of Mayotte which became an outermost region of the EU on 1 January 2014. On that date the current exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of Mayotte became EU waters.
This agreement will enable Seychelles flagged vessels to have access to Mayotte from the date of its signature. The fees paid by the Seychelles operators to obtain fishing authorisations to exploit highly migratory species should be paid, following previous practice, to Mayotte. The fees are meant to enable Mayotte to develop its management and control system, as well as for fisheries governance and capacity building.
