IP/06/1898
Brussels, 22 December 2006
EU and Mozambique initial new Fisheries Partnership Agreement The European Commission, on behalf of the European Union, and Mozambique yesterday initialled a Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA) for a period of 5 years, which will become effective on 1 January 2007. This Fisheries Agreement will replace the current Agreement, which has been in force since 2004. The Protocol attached to this FPA provides fishing opportunities on tuna and related species in Mozambique waters. In return, the annual EU financial contribution will be € 900 000, fully earmarked for support to the implementation of the Mozambican fisheries policy. In addition to the financial contribution from the Union a payment of more than € 300 000 is expected from ship owners in the form of licence fees. Under the new protocol, the quota for tuna and related species has been increased from 8 000 tonnes to 10 000 tonnes, in line with scientific advice and in response to requests from Member States. The protocol provides fishing possibilities for 44 purse seiners and 45 long-liners. Fishing opportunities on deep water shrimps have been eliminated, due to operators' lack of interest under the conditions established by the previous agreement.
The annual contribution of € 900 000 will be entirely used by Mozambique for the promotion of sustainable and responsible fishing. Any additional catches in excess of the fishing opportunities set out in the Protocol are subject to additional payments. The contribution by vessel owners has been increased from € 25 to € 35 a tonne, and the EU contribution has been reduced in proportion from € 75 to € 65.
In order to provide a framework for ongoing political dialogue on Mozambican fishing policy, the FPA foresees the setting up of a Joint Committee. The Committee will agree a multi-annual programme for fisheries and will monitor its implementation. A first meeting should be held in the first half of 2007 to discuss the elaboration and implementation of this programme.
Fisheries relations between the European Union and Mozambique date back to 1988 when a first Fisheries Agreement was concluded. This agreement subsequently lapsed, and was renewed in 2004. The current protocol came into force in 2004 and runs until the end of 2006. The Parties agreed on the application, from 2007 of the new Fisheries Partnership Agreement approach, adopted under the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy, which encourages the sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources.
