PURPOSE: to conclude a new Protocol on fishing between the European Union and the Republic of Seychelles.

NON LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision 2014/306/EU on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Seychelles.

CONTEXT: the European Union negotiated with the Seychelles a new Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement.

In accordance with Council Decision 2014/5/EU, the new Protocol has been signed and is applied on a provisional basis as from 18 January 2014.

The new Protocol should be approved in the name of the European Union.

CONTENT: with this Decision, the Council, with the approval of the European Parliament, approves in the name of the European Union, the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Seychelles.

Main objectives of the Protocol: the Protocol is in line with the Fisheries Partnership Agreement which aims to strengthen the cooperation between the European Union and the Seychelles and to promote a partnership framework promoting responsible fishing and sustainable fisheries in the Seychelles’ fishing sector, in the interests of both parties.

In addition, the parties agreed to cooperate to implement the sectoral policy of Seychelles’ fisheries and to pursue the policy dialogue to this end.

Financial contribution: the Protocol provides a financial contribution of EUR 30.7 millions over the whole period.

This amount is made up of:

• an annual amount of EUR 2 750 000 for the first two years of the application of the Protocol, and EUR 2 500 000 for the following years, equivalent to an annual tonnage reference of 50 000 tons;
• an annual amount of EUR 2 600 000 for the first two years of the application of the Protocol, and EUR 2 500 000 for the following years, corresponding to the additional envelope paid by the EU to support Seychelles' fisheries and maritime policy.

Fishing opportunities: the fishing opportunities offered to the European fleet would be 40 tuna purse seine vessels and 6 surface longliners.

However, the Joint Committee may reassess the fishing opportunities foreseen so as to ensure the sustainable management of tuna fisheries. In this case the financial contribution shall be adjusted proportionately and pro rata temporis. The total annual amount paid by the European Union shall not be more than twice the figure set out in the Agreement.

Provisions are made to allow EU vessels to be granted with new fishing opportunities, such as deep-water experimental fishing. In the event that the Parties consider that experimental campaigns have given positive results, the Government of Seychelles may allocate fishing possibilities of the new species to the European Union fleet until the expiration of this Protocol. The financial compensation shall consequently be increased.

Duration of the Agreement: the new Protocol covers a period of six years starting from the adoption of the Council decision on the Protocol's signing and provisional application and after expiry of the current Protocol, on 17 January 2014.

The Protocol shall apply provisionally from 18 January 2014.

Finally, specific clauses are included for its suspension or termination.

Simplified procedure to define the position of the EU in the EU-Seychelles Joint Committee: the Agreement set up a Joint Committee which is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Agreement. In accordance with the Protocol, the Joint Committee may approve certain modifications to the Protocol. In order to facilitate the approval of such modifications, it is appropriate to empower the Commission, subject to specific conditions, to approve them under a simplified procedure.

Annex: the Decision outlines the scope of the empowerment and procedure for the establishment of the Union position in the Joint Committee. The Commission shall be authorised to negotiate with the Seychelles, modifications in respect of

• review of fishing opportunities;
• modalities of the fisheries sectoral support;
• review of the technical rules on the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) in accordance with the Protocol as well as other similar technical provisions.

In the Joint Committee, the Union shall act in accordance with the objectives it pursues within the framework of the Common Fisheries Policy as well as relevant rules adopted by Regional Fisheries Management Organisations. Moreover, the Joint Committee should base its decisions on the latest statistical, biological and other relevant information.

Technical provisions are also laid down as regards the framework and practical aspects of the approval of amendments to the Protocol.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 30.05.2014. The date of entry into force of the Protocol will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union by the General Secretariat of the Council.

The European Parliament adopted by 622 votes to 31, with 11 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Seychelles.

Parliament gave its consent to the conclusion of the Protocol.

In the interests of transparency, Parliament called on the Commission to:

• provide Parliament with relevant information on the joint scientific meetings provided for in Article 4 of the Partnership Agreement and on meetings of the joint committee provided for in Article 9 of the Partnership Agreement, in particular the corresponding minutes and conclusions, together with an annual report on the practical implementation of the multiannual sectoral support programme referred to in the Protocol;
• to allow the representatives of its Committee on Fisheries, acting as observers, to be able to attend the above meetings of the joint committee of the Partnership Agreement.

Lastly, Parliament called on the Commission to submit to the Parliament and the Council, during the final year of the Protocol’s validity and before the opening of negotiations on its renewal, an ex-post assessment report on its implementation, containing an analysis of the uptake of fishing opportunities and a cost-benefit analysis of the Protocol, along with a report on possible constraints on fishing operations and damage caused to the Union fleet operating in the Seychelles’ Exclusive Economic Zone as a result of piracy in this part of the Indian Ocean.

The Committee on Fisheries unanimously adopted the report by Maria do Céu PATRÃO NEVES (EPP, PT) on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Seychelles.

The committee recommended that the European Parliament should give its consent to the conclusion of the Protocol.

In the interests of transparency, Members called on the Commission to:

• provide Parliament with relevant information on the joint scientific meetings provided for in Article 4 of the Partnership Agreement and on meetings of the joint committee provided for in Article 9 of the Partnership Agreement, in particular the corresponding minutes and conclusions, together with an annual report on the practical implementation of the multiannual sectoral support programme referred to in the Protocol;
• to allow the representatives of its Committee on Fisheries, acting as observers, to be able to attend the above meetings of the joint committee of the Partnership Agreement.

Lastly, Members called on the Commission to submit to the Parliament and the Council, during the final year of the Protocol’s validity and before the opening of negotiations on its renewal, an ex-post assessment report on its implementation, containing an analysis of the uptake of fishing opportunities and a cost-benefit analysis of the Protocol, along with a report on possible constraints on fishing operations and damage caused to the Union fleet operating in the Seychelles’ Exclusive Economic Zone as a result of piracy in this part of the Indian Ocean.

PURPOSE: to conclude a Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Seychelles

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: the Union has negotiated with the Seychelles a new Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement.

In accordance with a Council Decision, the new Protocol has been signed and is applied on a provisional basis as from 18 January 2014.

Given that it is in the interest of the Union to implement the Agreement by means of this Protocol, it is proposed to approve this new Protocol on behalf of the European Union.

CONTENT: this proposal aims to call on the Council to conclude the Protocol to the Fisheries Agreement with the Seychelles, on behalf of the EU.

The draft Protocol aims to strengthen the cooperation between the European Union and the Seychelles and promote a partnership framework in which to develop a sustainable fisheries policy and responsible exploitation of fishery resources in the Seychelles' fishing zone in the interests of both Parties.

For further details of the fishing opportunities and the financial implications of the draft Protocol on the EU budget, please refer to the summary of the initial legislative proposal dated 06/11/2013.

Simplified procedure: this Agreement sets up a Joint Committee which is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Agreement. Furthermore, in accordance with the Protocol, the Joint Committee may approve certain modifications to the Protocol. In order to facilitate the approval of such modifications, it is appropriate to empower the Commission, subject to specific conditions, to approve them under a simplified procedure.

Annex: the draft Decision outlines the scope of the empowerment and procedure for the establishment of the Union position in the Joint Committee. The Commission shall be authorised to negotiate with the Seychelles and, where appropriate, agree on modifications to the Protocol in respect of the following issues:

• review of fishing opportunities in accordance with Article 5(1) of the Protocol;
• modalities of the sectoral support in accordance with Article 3 of the Protocol;
• review of the technical rules on the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) in accordance with the Protocol and similar technical provisions of the Protocol.

Technical provisions are also laid down as regards the approval of the Union’s position concerning the amendments to the Protocol.

PURPOSE: to conclude a new Fishing Protocol between the EU and the Seychelles.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: on the basis of relevant Council mandate, the Commission on behalf of the European Union negotiated with the Seychelles in view of renewing the Protocol to the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Seychelles.

Following these negotiations, a new Protocol was initialled on the 10th of May 2013. It is now necessary to conclude the Protocol on behalf of the EU.

CONTENT: this proposal calls on the Council to conclude the new Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Seychelles.

Towards sustainable fishing: the new Protocol is in line with the objectives of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement aiming at strengthening the cooperation between the European Union and the Seychelles and promoting a partnership framework in which to develop a sustainable fisheries policy and responsible exploitation of fishery resources in the Seychelles' fishing zone in the interests of both Parties.

The two Parties agreed to cooperate with a view to implementing Seychelles' sectoral fisheries policy and to that end shall continue the policy dialogue on the relevant programming.

Financial contribution: the new Protocol provides for a total financial contribution of EUR 30 700 000 for the whole period.

This amount corresponds to:

• EUR 2 750 000 for the first two years of the application of the Protocol, and EUR 2 500 000 for the remaining years of the Protocol, equivalent to an annual reference tonnage of 50 000 tonnes,
• EUR 2 600 000 for the first two years of the Protocol, and EUR 2 500 000 for the remaining years, corresponding to the additional envelope paid by the EU to support Seychelles' fisheries and maritime policy.

Fishing possibilities: the fishing opportunities granted under the Fisheries Partnership Agreement shall be as follows: 40 tuna purse seine vessels, and 6 surface longliners.

The Joint Committee may reassess the fishing opportunities and these may be adjusted by mutual agreement in the Joint Committee insofar as the recommendations and resolutions of IOTC support that such an adjustment will secure the sustainable management of tuna and tuna-like species in the Indian Ocean. In this case the financial contribution shall be adjusted proportionately and pro rata temporis.

However, the total annual amount paid by the European Union shall not be more than twice the figure set out in the Agreement.

Provisions are made to allow EU vessels to be granted with new fishing opportunities, such as deep-water experimental fishing.

In the event that the Parties consider that experimental campaigns have given positive results, the Government of Seychelles may allocate fishing possibilities of the new species to the European Union fleet until the expiration of this Protocol. The financial compensation shall consequently be increased.

Duration of the Agreement: the new Protocol covers a period of six years starting from the adoption of the Council decision on the Protocol's signing and provisional application and after expiry of the current Protocol, on 17 January 2014. In addition, the Protocol contains specific clauses for its suspension or termination.

This Protocol shall be applied provisionally from 18 January 2014.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: the total financial envelope allocated to this Protocol would be EUR 31.336 million from 2014 to 2019, including administrative costs for the management of the Protocol and human resources expenditure.

PURPOSE: to conclude a new Fishing Protocol between the EU and the Seychelles.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: on the basis of relevant Council mandate, the Commission on behalf of the European Union negotiated with the Seychelles in view of renewing the Protocol to the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Seychelles.

Following these negotiations, a new Protocol was initialled on the 10th of May 2013. It is now necessary to conclude the Protocol on behalf of the EU.

CONTENT: this proposal calls on the Council to conclude the new Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Seychelles.

Towards sustainable fishing: the new Protocol is in line with the objectives of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement aiming at strengthening the cooperation between the European Union and the Seychelles and promoting a partnership framework in which to develop a sustainable fisheries policy and responsible exploitation of fishery resources in the Seychelles' fishing zone in the interests of both Parties.

The two Parties agreed to cooperate with a view to implementing Seychelles' sectoral fisheries policy and to that end shall continue the policy dialogue on the relevant programming.

Financial contribution: the new Protocol provides for a total financial contribution of EUR 30 700 000 for the whole period.

This amount corresponds to:

• EUR 2 750 000 for the first two years of the application of the Protocol, and EUR 2 500 000 for the remaining years of the Protocol, equivalent to an annual reference tonnage of 50 000 tonnes,
• EUR 2 600 000 for the first two years of the Protocol, and EUR 2 500 000 for the remaining years, corresponding to the additional envelope paid by the EU to support Seychelles' fisheries and maritime policy.

Fishing possibilities: the fishing opportunities granted under the Fisheries Partnership Agreement shall be as follows: 40 tuna purse seine vessels, and 6 surface longliners.

The Joint Committee may reassess the fishing opportunities and these may be adjusted by mutual agreement in the Joint Committee insofar as the recommendations and resolutions of IOTC support that such an adjustment will secure the sustainable management of tuna and tuna-like species in the Indian Ocean. In this case the financial contribution shall be adjusted proportionately and pro rata temporis.

However, the total annual amount paid by the European Union shall not be more than twice the figure set out in the Agreement.

Provisions are made to allow EU vessels to be granted with new fishing opportunities, such as deep-water experimental fishing.

In the event that the Parties consider that experimental campaigns have given positive results, the Government of Seychelles may allocate fishing possibilities of the new species to the European Union fleet until the expiration of this Protocol. The financial compensation shall consequently be increased.

Duration of the Agreement:  the new Protocol covers a period of six years starting from the adoption of the Council decision on the Protocol's signing and provisional application and after expiry of the current Protocol, on 17 January 2014. In addition, the Protocol contains specific clauses for its suspension or termination.

This Protocol shall be applied provisionally from 18 January 2014.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: the total financial envelope allocated to this Protocol would be EUR 31.336 million from 2014 to 2019, including administrative costs for the management of the Protocol and human resources expenditure.

PURPOSE: to conclude a new Fishing Protocol between the EU and the Seychelles.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: on the basis of relevant Council mandate, the Commission on behalf of the European Union negotiated with the Seychelles in view of renewing the Protocol to the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Seychelles.

Following these negotiations, a new Protocol was initialled on the 10th of May 2013. It is now necessary to conclude the Protocol on behalf of the EU.

CONTENT: this proposal calls on the Council to conclude the new Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Seychelles.

Towards sustainable fishing: the new Protocol is in line with the objectives of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement aiming at strengthening the cooperation between the European Union and the Seychelles and promoting a partnership framework in which to develop a sustainable fisheries policy and responsible exploitation of fishery resources in the Seychelles' fishing zone in the interests of both Parties.

The two Parties agreed to cooperate with a view to implementing Seychelles' sectoral fisheries policy and to that end shall continue the policy dialogue on the relevant programming.

Financial contribution: the new Protocol provides for a total financial contribution of EUR 30 700 000 for the whole period.

This amount corresponds to:

• EUR 2 750 000 for the first two years of the application of the Protocol, and EUR 2 500 000 for the remaining years of the Protocol, equivalent to an annual reference tonnage of 50 000 tonnes,
• EUR 2 600 000 for the first two years of the Protocol, and EUR 2 500 000 for the remaining years, corresponding to the additional envelope paid by the EU to support Seychelles' fisheries and maritime policy.

Fishing possibilities: the fishing opportunities granted under the Fisheries Partnership Agreement shall be as follows: 40 tuna purse seine vessels, and 6 surface longliners.

The Joint Committee may reassess the fishing opportunities and these may be adjusted by mutual agreement in the Joint Committee insofar as the recommendations and resolutions of IOTC support that such an adjustment will secure the sustainable management of tuna and tuna-like species in the Indian Ocean. In this case the financial contribution shall be adjusted proportionately and pro rata temporis.

However, the total annual amount paid by the European Union shall not be more than twice the figure set out in the Agreement.

Provisions are made to allow EU vessels to be granted with new fishing opportunities, such as deep-water experimental fishing.

In the event that the Parties consider that experimental campaigns have given positive results, the Government of Seychelles may allocate fishing possibilities of the new species to the European Union fleet until the expiration of this Protocol. The financial compensation shall consequently be increased.

Duration of the Agreement:  the new Protocol covers a period of six years starting from the adoption of the Council decision on the Protocol's signing and provisional application and after expiry of the current Protocol, on 17 January 2014. In addition, the Protocol contains specific clauses for its suspension or termination.

This Protocol shall be applied provisionally from 18 January 2014.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: the total financial envelope allocated to this Protocol would be EUR 31.336 million from 2014 to 2019, including administrative costs for the management of the Protocol and human resources expenditure.