European fishing industry association Europêche has called on European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Costas Kadis to obtain an extension of at least six months to the EU-Mauritania fishing protocol, which will expire on November 14.
In an account of its meeting with Kadis published on Friday, October 23, the association said it had urged Mr Kadis to use the commission's political weight to preserve fleet access while talks on a future agreement continue.
"With no alternative fishing grounds available to the fleet, continuity is essential while negotiations on a future agreement continue," Europêche said.
The association also asked the commission to change the funding rules to allow operators to receive compensation if the protocol is not renewed.
The request formed part of a wider discussion on the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), during which Europêche also sought timely renewal of fishing protocols, action on dormant agreements with third countries, and a targeted CFP revision in the commission's 2027 work programme.
On September 24, Europêche and the European Transport Workers' Federation jointly called for an immediate one-year extension if negotiations could not be concluded before expiry. They also requested automatic activation of temporary cessation aid for companies and workers should vessels be forced to stop fishing.
A commission spokesperson told Agence Europe at the time that the fourth negotiating round had taken place in June, alongside several technical discussions, and that the EU was working with the Mauritanian authorities to conclude talks as soon as possible.
The current protocol has been in force since November 15, 2021, and offers annual fishing opportunities of as much as 280,050 tonnes for shrimp, demersal fish, tuna and small pelagic species. Pelagic freezer trawlers hold the largest allocation at 225,000 tonnes annually, with a maximum of 19 vessels. Up to 29 tuna seiners are also permitted.
Vessels flagged in France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, the Netherlands, Ireland and Italy are eligible to fish under the protocol.