EU tekent nieuw visserij-protocol met Gabon (en)

The European Commission, on behalf of the European Union, and Gabon have initialled a Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA) for a period of six years, which will become effective on 3 December 2005. This fisheries agreement will replace the current one, due to end the day before.

The new Protocol under the FPA provides for tuna fishing opportunities for 40 Community vessels, in return for an EU annual financial contribution of € 860,000, of which 60% is earmarked for support to the Gabonese national fishing policy. In addition to refocusing financial support, the new agreement also marks the beginning of a new era in fisheries cooperation between the EU and Gabon dedicated to promoting sustainable fisheries in Gabonese waters. In particular, it breaks new ground by committing both parties to broad-ranging and systematic policy dialogue, and to strengthening cooperation in a number of areas. This move towards partnership agreements, agreed under the 2002 reform of the Common Fisheries Policy, focus support on developing the local fishing sector and the capacity of the partner countries to ensure sustainable fisheries in their waters.

Joe Borg i, European Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, said: "This partnership agreement opens a new chapter in fish co-operation between the European Union and Gabon as it will strengthen Gabon's efforts at ensuring sustainable fisheries in its waters."

In order to provide a framework for ongoing political dialogue on the Gabonese Fishing Policy, the FPA foresees the establishment of a Joint Committee. The following areas have been provisionally identified as priorities: enhancing scientific cooperation for fish stock assessment; reinforcing regional cooperation within the framework of the COREP (the Gulf of Guinea Regional Fisheries Committee); strengthening control and enforcement of fishing activities in Gabonese waters; and establishing a partnership between the European and Gabonese fishing industries. The Joint Committee will convene in the first half of 2006, when it will define in detail how these actions are to be implemented.

The FPA also differs markedly from the present Agreement in the way in which it is structured. The Community fleet fishing for tuna has a long tradition of operations in the Gulf of Guinea, of which the fishing zone of Gabon forms an important part. The FPA agreed with Gabon remains the Community's most important Atlantic tuna agreement in terms of catch volume. However, the fishing opportunities for shrimps and cephalopods which exist under the current Agreement have not been maintained, whilst the number of tuna licences available for Community vessels has been reduced by 40%, to reflect the current fishing patterns. The reference tonnage for tuna has been increased slightly, from 10,500 tonnes to 11,000 tonnes, to reflect the actual increase in catch figures.

The contribution from the ship owners per tonne of tuna caught has been increased from € 25 to € 35, in line with the Council conclusions of July 2004, whilst the Union's contribution has been decreased correspondingly, from € 75 to € 65 per tonne. Accordingly, the licence fees have increased substantially, reflecting not only the rise in the ship owners' contribution in €/tonne but also the adjustment in catch level (tonnes) assumed for the calculation of the licence fee.

To reflect the decrease in fishing possibilities, the Union's financial contribution has been reduced by 32%, from € 1,262,500 per year under the current Agreement to € 860,000 per year in total under the new FPA, which includes a specific additional sum of €140,000 to be used for the promotion of sustainable and responsible fishing in Gabon. Any additional catches in excess of the reference levels are subject to payment in arrears.

The FPA also rationalises certain obligations applicable to the Union's fishing vessels in relation to the taking on board of local sailors and observers. The new agreement allows for sailors from the region (that is, from other ACP countries, as well as from Gabon) to be taken on board, and for regional observers to be present on EU vessels as long as they are operating in the region. Moreover, the Parties intend to offer an incentive for the landing of catches in Gabon. Licences may now be issued electronically. The Commission proceeded with these amendments following discussions with the relevant sectors of the EU fishing industry.

The 2002 reform of the Common Fisheries Policy included the implementation of a new approach to fisheries agreements. This approach is designed to secure the continuation of the activities of the European distant water fleets while ensuring coherence between EU fisheries policy and EU environmental and development policies, in line with the Union's international commitments. As a result, co-operation with our international partners is now focused on achieving sustainable fisheries beyond EU waters, based on scientific advice and application of the precautionary approach, in accordance with the general principles of the Common Fisheries Policy.