The European Commission, on behalf of the EU, and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania have just agreed a new protocol setting the fishing possibilities and the financial compensation provided for under the fisheries partnership agreement for the period 1 August 2008 to 31 July 2012. This new protocol better responds than the current one to Mauritania’s needs in terms of sustainable development of its national fisheries sector, and also takes into account the changes in the European fleet operating in Mauritanian waters. It aims in particular at strengthening investment, including by European businesses, in the Mauritanian fisheries industry. The two Parties agreed to decrease the current fishing possibilities, thus reflecting the reduced needs of the European fleet and recent scientific advice. These possibilities have been decreased by 25% for cephalopods (octopus), from 10 to 50% for demersal species (living close to the sea floor) and by 43% for small pelagic (mid-water) bringing the overall annual tonnage from the current 440,000 tonnes to 250,000 tonnes. The fishing effort of the European vessels on sensitive species has also been substantially reduced. Thus, in less than two years, fishing possibilities for cephalopods have been decreased by 55%.
The two parties have also agreed to examine the additional technical measures that could be set up so as to reduce the overall fishing effort. The EU financial contribution will now amount to € 305 million over the 4-year period covered by the protocol or € 75.25 million per year (as compared to € 86 million now). There will be an additional € 15 million euros per year from licences. The amount earmarked for the development of the national fisheries sector and to promote sustainable fisheries in Mauritanian waters has been substantially increased compared to the € 10 million earmarked under the current protocol. Thus, € 16.25 million will be allocated to support the main components of the “2008-2012 new management strategy for the fishing and aquaculture sector”. This support should particularly be of benefit to the future development of Mauritania’s industry and the national fleet, in particular the artisanal sector.
