Mauritania and the European Union signed a new fishing protocol on 29 July that will allow the E.U. fleet to access at least 290,000 metric tons (MT) of four categories of fish annually in the country’s waters.
The new protocol, which replaces one that has been in force since 2008, allows the E.U. fleet to access Mauritanian fisheries to fish for crustaceans, demersal fish, tuna, and small pelagics.
“For the first years of application of the protocol, in addition to the catches paid by European fishermen, the E.U. will devote EUR 57.5 million [USD 68.2 million] per year to this partnership,” the E.U. statement said.
The E.U. will pay another EUR 16.5 million (USD 19.5 million), spread over the duration of the protocol, “as sectoral support to accompany the implementation of the Mauritanian national strategy by measures approved jointly.”
Both parties have been negotiating on a new deal since the current four-year protocol, signed on 16 November, 2015, lapsed in 2019. The old protocol was extended twice, both times for a year, with the final extension expiring on 15 November, 2021.
The latest agreement, the E.U. said, came after a long negotiation, and coincided with ongoing fisheries sector reforms that saw the Mauritanian government submit a report as part of a Fisheries Transparency Initiative aiming to achieve greater transparency and accountability in the sector’s operations.
The new agreement allows for a short-term modification of the fishing zone for the small-pelagic category, “based on a favorable scientific opinion, which has already been issued by the independent joint scientific committee," according to an E.U. statement.
“The new protocol contributes to responsible fishing and sustainable management of fisheries resources under improved technical and operational conditions and transparency,” the E.U. said.
A series of measures to improve fisheriessustainability have been included in the new protocol, including “improving data collection through the application of electronic systems for daily monitoring and better monitoring of fleet activities, clear definitions of bycatch limits, more detailed provisions on scientific observation, improved conditions, and requirements for seafarers.”
Additionally, a new annex has been included in the new agreement to ease not only the collection of data but also dissemination of accurate information on fishing fleets operating within Mauritanian waters as the country, with the support of the E.U., strives to create conducive environment for efficiently supporting the fisheries sector.
The E.U. views the new agreement with Mauritania to be more “simplified and strengthened” compared to the previous one, due to the incorporation of more provisions on transparency, efficiency, effectiveness, and quality financial management.
Under the terms of the agreement, a joint committee comprised of Mauritania and E.U. officials will monitor the fish quota allocation.
Photo courtesy of the European Commission
