EU and Mauritania agree to new sustainable fisheries protocol

A new protocol to the Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA) between the EU and Mauritania has been signed, which will allow European fishing vessels to resume their activities in Mauritanian waters, the European Commission has confirmed.

The new protocol will fully come into force once the necessary procedures have been completed, including the consent of the European Parliament (EP).

Under the new protocol, the EU fleet will be allowed to fish in Mauritanian waters for shrimp, demersal fish, tuna and small pelagic fish up to a total of 281,500 metric tons (MT) per year, under improved operational conditions.

In addition to the catches paid for by the European fleet, the EU will pay a financial contribution in excess of EUR 59.1 million (USD 62.9 million) per year to Mauritania, out of which more than EUR 4.1 million (USD 4.4 million) will be used to enhance fisheries governance and to support sustainable fisheries.

The Commission's aim is to ensure that fisheries are both economically and environmentally sustainable in the long term and are cost-effective. It said it would therefore strive to ensure that each Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement makes use of the best available scientific advice and delivers value for money.

The new protocol confirms the continuation of the cooperation between EU and Mauritania in the field of fisheries, a key sector for the development of Mauritania and one of the pillars of the European strategy for “Blue Growth.”

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