PURPOSE: Extension of the fishing Protocol between the EU and Cape Verde.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Regulation 1927/2004/EC on the conclusion of an Agreement in the form of Exchange of Letters concerning the extension of the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contributions provided for in the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Republic of Cape Verde on fishing off the coast of Cape Verde for the period 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2005.

CONTENT: The Protocol annexed to the Fishing Agreement between the EU and the Republic of Cape Verde expired on the 30/06/2004. The objective of this Regulation is to extend the Protocol by one year allowing for an new expiry date of 30/06/2005. The Agreement is structured in the form of an Exchange of Letters concerning the extension of the Protocol and sets out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Republic of Cape Verde during the fixed period. The fishing opportunities shall be allocated among the Member States as follows:

Tuna seiners: France 19 vessels/Spain 18 vessels.

Pole and line tuna vessels: France 6 vessels/ Spain 10 vessels/Portugal 2 vessels.

Surface longliners: Spain 52 vessels/Portugal 10 vessels.

Bottom longliners: Portugal 630 GRT per month, averaged over the year, with no more than four vessels fishing simultaneously.

If licence applications from these Member States do not cover all the fishing opportunities fixed by the Protocol, the Commission will consider licence applications from any other Member State

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 09/11/2004.

The European Parliament adopted a resolution, by 490 votes for, 71 against and 109 abstentions, drafted by Philippe MORILLON (ALDE, FR) approving the Commission's proposal with a few amendments. (Please see the document of 01/09/04.) Only if the Cape Verde authorities so request, the Commission will consider the possibility of transferring amounts which are currently included under ‘targeted measures' to Commission-financed projects which serve the same purpose as the targeted-measures projects.

The European Parliament adopted a resolution, by 490 votes for, 71 against and 109 abstentions, drafted by Philippe MORILLON (ALDE, FR) approving the Commission's proposal with a few amendments. (Please see the document of 01/09/04.) Only if the Cape Verde authorities so request, the Commission will consider the possibility of transferring amounts which are currently included under ‘targeted measures' to Commission-financed projects which serve the same purpose as the targeted-measures projects.

The committee adopted the report by Philippe MORILLON (ALDE, FR) approving the proposal under the consultation procedure, subject to a few amendments. These reflected Parliament's traditional position on renewing fishing agreements, namely, that a general assessment report should be presented by the Commission before the beginning of negotiations, including an analysis of the use made of the funds earmarked for the targeted measures. Only after the report had been received and Parliament had given its opinion thereon should the Council authorise the Commission to enter into negotiations for a possible new Protocol. One amendment stipulated that, if the Cape Verde authorities are unable to implement targeted measures intended to conserve fisheries resources, the Commission should consider converting the funds concerned into Commission-financed projects serving the same purpose.