Extension of Fisheries Partnership Agreement between EU and Mauritius

Council Decision (EU) 2022/1846 of 29 September 2022 on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and the Republic of Mauritius concerning the extension 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 Mauritius

Update

The EU and Mauritius have agreed on the interim arrangements extending the Fisheries Partnership Agreement (Protocol) which applied from 8 December 2017 until 7 December 2021. The latest Protocol on implementing this Agreement expired on 7 December 2021; a 6-month extension was agreed between the European Union and Mauritius and signed on 5 April 2022.

Impacted Products

fisheries products

What is changing?

The EU and Mauritius have agreed on the interim arrangements extending the Fisheries Partnership Agreement (Protocol), which applied from 8 December 2017 until 7 December 2021.

Why?

The Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the EU and Mauritius was signed on 5 April 2022, subject to its conclusion at a later date.

Timeline

The Decision entered into force on 29 September 2022.

What are the major implications for exporting countries?

The EU provides a financial contribution of €110,000, equivalent to a reference tonnage of 2,000 tonnes, for its vessels to have access to Mauritius waters; an additional €110,000 in support of Mauritius' sectoral fisheries policy; and €67,500 to support the development of its maritime policy and ocean economy.

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. It is tacitly renewed for additional periods of 3 years, and is therefore still in force. The Agreement allows EU vessels to engage in fishing activities in Mauritius waters provided that they are in possession of a fishing authorisation issued by Mauritius’ competent authorities and governed by the applicable law of Mauritius. EU vessels can fish the surplus of the allowable catch, and contribute regular supplies to the local fish-processing industry on a sustainable basis, particularly adequate supplies of tuna.

Mauritius is the third largest supplier of canned tuna to the EU market after Ecuador and the Philippines. Products exported from Mauritius enter the EU market duty-free and quota-free, provided they meet the rules of origin defined in the interim Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the EU and certain Eastern and Southern Africa States (including Mauritius and the Seychelles) (European Commission 2021).

The future new Protocol will provide an updated framework that takes into account the priorities of the reformed common fisheries policy and its external dimension.

Resources

Sources