Mauritania, EU Renew Fisheries Partnership Agreement

The Islamic Republic of Mauritania and the European Union have just concluded a new partnership agreement in the field of sustainable fishing for a period of six years, tacitly renewable. It now integrates the key elements of the partnership, both in line with the basic principles of Mauritanian fisheries strategies and the Common Fisheries Policy of the European Union.

The memorandum of application of the agreement is concluded for a period of five years and includes a review clause before the start of its third year of application, according to a statement received by Mauritanian news agency.

To improve the attractiveness of the fleet, while ensuring the preservation of the resource, the new protocol provides, among other things, and in the short term, for the modification of the fishing area of the small pelagic category. For that a favorable scientific opinion has already been issued by the independent joint scientific committee, subject to the adoption of a management plan for this fishery.

Other measures aimed at facilitating and making more efficient the implementation of sectoral support in the years to come in connection with the national strategy for the development of the fishing sector are provided for by the new protocol.

“The fishing possibilities, the related financial contribution and sectoral support have been maintained at their current level of 62 million euros per year. Likewise, all royalties have seen an increase except that of sardines”, as the agreement stipulates.

Regarding the application of the agreement, the two Parties have undertaken to do everything in their power to reach a rapid conclusion of the preparatory procedures to lead to the signing of the new agreement and its protocol at the earliest, no later than 15 November, if possible.

According to the document, the two sides recognized and praised the constructive spirit of the discussions and welcomed the conclusion of the long negotiation process, while acknowledging the delays due to the overall health situation.

They reiterated their respective commitment to do their utmost for the fruitful continuation of the partnership both regarding the application of the last months of the current protocol and the preliminary phase of the application of the new protocol.