Page 36 - AA 2022 YEAR BOOK

Mauritania

EU AND MAURITANIA ANNOUNCE THE CONCLUSION OF
NEGOTIATIONS FOR A NEW FISHERIES AGREEMENT

The European Union and the Islamic increased monitoring of the state of the
Republic of Mauritania have concluded on fisheries resources concerned. For this
Wednesday 28 July 2021 the negotiations reason, the protocol includes, inter alia,
for the renewal of the bilateral agreement a review clause before the third year of
on sustainable fisheries. application in order to allow the possible
The European Union and the Islamic adjustment of the fishing opportunities
Republic of Mauritania have concluded on and the financial contribution paid by the
Wednesday 28 July 2021 the negotiations Union in the light of the actual use made
for the renewal of the bilateral agreement of these possibilities by Union vessels.
on sustainable fisheries. The new protocol contributes to
This new agreement, which replaces responsible fishing and sustainable
the one in force since 2008, contributes management of fisheries resources under
to further strengthening the political improved technical and operational
partnership between the EU and conditions and transparency. It aims With this new protocol, the European
Mauritania and confirms several decades in particular to minimise the impact Union and Mauritania reiterate their
of cooperation in the field of fisheries, of fishing on marine ecosystems and desire to generate more wealth and
a key sector for the development of respects the activities of Mauritanian employment opportunities in Mauritania,
Mauritania’s economy and one of the coastal and artisanal fleets. while ensuring the continuation of
pillars of European blue growth. The protocol provides for access by fishing activities for European vessels
traditionally operating in Mauritanian
Consistent with the European fisheries the European fleet to Mauritanian waters waters. In this context, the protocol
policy, the new agreement comes after a for the fishing of crustaceans, demersal encourages cooperation between
long negotiation, which took place in a fish, tuna and small pelagics, for a total economic operators.
phase of reform of Mauritania’s fisheries of approximately 290.000 tonnes per
management and incorporates the year. For the first years of application of The new protocol provides, inter
priorities of the new national sectoral the protocol, in addition to the catches alia, for a short-term modification of
strategy recently adopted. paid by European fishermen, the EU will the fishing zone for the small pelagic
devote EUR 57,5 million per year to this category, based on a favourable scientific
The Implementation Protocol partnership. The European Union will opinion, which has already been issued
accompanying the new agreement was pay Another EUR 16,5 million, spread by the independent Joint Scientific
concluded for a period of five years and over the duration of the protocol, as Committee. This measure will improve
aims at a gradual alignment of the fishing sectoral support to accompany the the attractiveness of Mauritanian waters
opportunities offered to Union vessels implementation of the Mauritanian for the European fleet, while ensuring
operating in Mauritanian waters with national strategy by measures approved through the adoption of a management
their actual activity, taking into account jointly. plan the conservation of this resource.
the best scientific advice in the context of
The Mauritanian authorities have
Production (tonnes) of some livestock products in Mauritania (2019-2020) already started drawing up this
Item Value Flag Value Flag management plan, which will be
Eggs, hen, in shell 5536 Im 5566 Im validated by the Joint Committee as soon
Fat, camels 721 Im 730 Im as possible after the finalisation of the
Fat, cattle 851 Im 858 Im
Fat, goats 379 Im 383 Im adoption process at national level.
Fat, sheep 733 Im 749 Im Other measures within the protocol
Hides, cattle, fresh 4318 Im 4358 Im
Meat, ass 2576 Im 2604 Im include improving data collection
Meat, camel 25824 Im 26155 Im through the application of electronic
Meat, cattle 29441 Im 29716 Im systems for daily monitoring and
Meat, chicken 4608 Im 4624 Im
Meat, goat 18943 Im 19154 Im better monitoring of fleet activities,
Meat, horse 568 Im 564 Im clear definitions of by-catch limits,
Meat, sheep 36668 Im 37435 Im more detailed provisions on scientific
Milk, whole fresh camel 26210 Im 26330 Im
Milk, whole fresh cow 147782 Im 149034 Im observation, improved conditions and
Milk, whole fresh goat 109696 Im 110251 Im requirements for seafarers.
Milk, whole fresh sheep 78492 Im 78696 Im The protocol also includes a new annex
Offals, edible, camels 4264 Im 4319 Im
Offals, edible, cattle 5757 Im 5811 Im specifically dedicated to transparency,
Offals, edible, goats 2538 Im 2567 Im which aims to facilitate the collection of
Offals, horses 47 Im 47 Im data and the dissemination of information
Offals, sheep,edible 4914 Im 5016 Im
Skins, goat, fresh 2273 Im 2299 Im on the activities of all fleets operating in
Skins, sheep, fresh 4914 Im 5016 Im Mauritanian waters.
Im: FAO data based on imputation methodology | Source: FAO Statistical Division 2021
34 Arab Agriculture 2022