The European Parliament adopted by 526 votes to 37, with 52 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Protocol implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Mauritius (2022-2026).

Parliament gave its consent to the conclusion of the Protocol.

The objective of the Protocol is to enable the European Union and Mauritius to work more closely together in promoting cooperation in the field of ocean economy, aquaculture, sustainable development of the oceans, maritime spatial planning, marine energy and the marine environment, maritime policy development and the blue economy, while contributing to decent working conditions in the fisheries sector.

The EU-Mauritius FPA allows the EU fleet to fish for tuna and tuna-like species in Mauritian waters, with annual fishing possibilities of 5 500 tonnes for 40 purse seiners, 45 surface longliners and a number of authorised EU auxiliary vessels, as established by the relevant resolutions of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC).

This agreement is important for the EU tuna fleet in the Indian Ocean and strengthens relations between the EU and Mauritius.

The new protocol provides for a total financial contribution of EUR 2 900 000, i.e. EUR 275 000 per year for access to Mauritian waters, EUR 275 000 per year for support for Mauritius' sectoral fisheries policy and its implementation, and EUR 175 000 per year to support the implementation of the maritime policy and the development of the blue economy. In addition, a financial contribution will be paid by shipowners in accordance with the provisions of the Annex.

The Committee on Fisheries adopted the report by François-Xavier BELLAMY (EPP, FR) on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Protocol implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Mauritius (2022-2026).

The committee responsible recommended that the European Parliament give its consent to the conclusion of the protocol.

The Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA) signed by the European Union and the Republic of Mauritius on 21 December 2013 expired on 7 December 2021. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, both parties have agreed to extend it for a further six months in July 2022, while a new protocol is negotiated.

The EU-Mauritius FPA allows the EU fleet to fish for tuna and tuna-like species in Mauritian waters, with annual fishing possibilities of 5 500 tonnes for 40 purse seiners, 45 surface longliners and a number of authorised EU auxiliary vessels, as established by the relevant resolutions of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC). This agreement is important for the EU tuna fleet in the Indian Ocean and strengthens relations between the EU and Mauritius.

The new protocol provides for a total financial contribution of EUR 2 900 000, i.e. EUR 275 000 per year for access to Mauritian waters, EUR 275 000 per year for support for Mauritius' sectoral fisheries policy and its implementation, and EUR 175 000 per year to support the implementation of the maritime policy and the development of the blue economy. In addition, a financial contribution will be paid by shipowners in accordance with the provisions of the Annex.

The agreement also enables the European Union and the Republic of Mauritius to continue working more closely together on promoting sound exploitation of fishery resources in Mauritius waters and to support Mauritius to develop its fisheries sector, in the interests of both parties. It also facilitates the continuous cooperation with Mauritius as a strategic partner for alliance building and EU positioning in the region and in particular at the IOTC.

PURPOSE: to conclude the Protocol implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Mauritius (2022-2026).

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.

BACKGROUND: the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Mauritius was concluded by Council Decision 2014/146/EU and entered into force on 28 January 2014.

The Protocol for the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Mauritius (2022-2026) was signed subject to its conclusion at a later date.

CONTENT: the purpose of this draft Council is to approve, on behalf of the Union, the Protocol for the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Mauritius (2022-2026).

The objective of the Protocol is to enable the European Union and Mauritius to work more closely together in promoting cooperation in the field of ocean economy, aquaculture, sustainable development of the oceans, maritime spatial planning, marine energy and the marine environment, maritime policy development and the blue economy, while contributing to decent working conditions in the fisheries sector.

Fishing opportunities

The fishing opportunities granted under Article 5 of the Agreement for highly migratory species (as listed in Annex 1 to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) are as follows:

- 40 purse seine vessels; and

- 45 surface longliners.

Mauritius will authorise EU supply vessels to assist in the operations of Union vessels authorised in Mauritius waters within the limits and terms of applicable IOTC resolutions on supply vessels.

Financial contribution

The total financial contribution is fixed at EUR 2 900 000.

This total financial contribution will comprise:

- an annual amount of EUR 275 000 equivalent to a reference tonnage of 5 500 tonnes per year for access to Mauritian waters

- a specific amount of EUR 275 000 per year for the support and implementation of the sectoral fisheries policy of Mauritius; and

- an additional amount of EUR 175 000 to support the development of the maritime policy and the development of the blue economy.

The Commission is empowered to approve, on behalf of the Union, amendments to the Protocol adopted by the Joint Committee set up under Article 9 of the Agreement. The Commission will ensure that the approval on behalf of the Union:

- is in accordance with the objectives of the common fisheries policy;

- is consistent with the relevant rules adopted by regional fisheries management organisations and takes account of joint management by coastal States;

- takes account of the latest statistical, biological and other relevant information sent to the Commission.

The procedure for the approval of amendments to the Protocol to be adopted by the Joint Committee is described in the Annex to the draft Council Decision.

PURPOSE: to conclude a Protocol implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Mauritius (2022-2026).

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.

BACKGROUND: the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and Mauritius was signed on 21 December 2012 and entered into force on 28 January 2014 for a period of 6 years. The latest protocol implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement covered a period of 4 years from the date of its provisional application, i.e. its signature. It was signed on 8 December 2017 and expired on 7 December 2021.

The Commission has conducted negotiations with Mauritius on the conclusion of a new Protocol to the EU-Mauritius Fisheries Partnership Agreement. As a result of these negotiations, a new protocol was initialled on 7 May 2022. The new protocol covers a period of 4 years from the date of provisional application of the protocol, i.e. the date of its signature by both parties.

The 2017-2021 Protocol was considered relevant to the needs of EU stakeholders as it provided EU ship owners with predictable access to a productive fishing area where targeted species are abundant.

CONTENT: the purpose of this proposal is to authorise the conclusion of the Protocol for the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Mauritius (2022-2026).

The objective of the Protocol is to enable the European Union and Mauritius to work more closely together in promoting cooperation in the field of ocean economy, aquaculture, sustainable development of the oceans, maritime spatial planning, marine energy and the marine environment, maritime policy development and the blue economy, while contributing to decent working conditions in the fisheries sector.

Fishing opportunities

The new Protocol provides fishing opportunities for EU vessels in Mauritian waters. This is based on the best available scientific advice and the recommendations made by the regional fisheries organisation that manages highly migratory fish stocks, the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, where applicable within the limits of the available surplus.

The Protocol provides for the following fishing opportunities: (a) 40 tuna seiners; (b) 45 surface longliners.

Financial contribution

The annual financial contribution will be EUR 725 000 , based on:

(a) a reference tonnage of 5 500 tonnes, for which an annual amount linked to access has been set at EUR 275 000;

(b) support for the development of Mauritius' sectoral fisheries policy, amounting to EUR 275 000 per year; and

(c) support for the development of the maritime policy and the blue economy, amounting to EUR 175 000 per year.

On sectoral support, the evaluation noted that the programme had been implemented with delays and that a future sectoral support programme should aim as a matter of priority to strengthen Mauritius’ capacity to comply with its international obligations, in particular those related to scientific observations, catch sampling and port inspections. A future sectoral support programme could also help develop the national fishing sector through support to small-scale fishers and the development of a semi-industrial segment.