Mauritania has signed a new protocol with the European Union (EU) which extends the fisheries partnership agreement between the two sides
The protocol, valid for a period of four years, allows EU vessels to resume their fishing activities in Mauritanian waters. Under the terms of the protocol, the EU fleet will be allowed to fish for shrimp, demersal fish, tuna and small pelagic fish up to a total of 281,500 tonnes per year in Mauritanian waters, under improved operational conditions.
In addition to the catches paid for by the European fleet, the EU will also make a financial contribution of about US$63.23mn per year to Mauritania, of which about US$4.412mn will be used to enhance fisheries governance and to support sustainable fisheries.
The new protocol continues the cooperation between EU and Mauritania in the field of fisheries, a key sector for the development of the African country and one of the pillars of the European strategy for Blue Growth. It will enter fully into force only after the completion of necessary procedures, including consent from the European Parliament.
The European Commission aims to ensure that fisheries are both economically and environmentally sustainable in the long term as well as cost-effective. For that, it tries to ensure that each fisheries partnership agreement makes use of the best available scientific advice and delivers value for money.
According to official statistics, Mauritania’s fishing sector represents more than 20 per cent of the country’s budget revenue and employs more than 35,000 people.
