----

            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 Seychelles

Article 1

Period of application and fishing opportunities

1.   For a period of six years from the date of the start of the provisional application, the fishing opportunities granted under Article 5 of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement shall be as follows:

2.   Paragraph 1 shall apply subject to Articles 5 and 6 of this Protocol.

3.   Under Article 6 of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement, vessels flying the flag of a Member State of the European Union may engage in fishing activities in fishing areas within the Seychelles' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) only if they are in possession of a fishing authorisation or licence issued under this Protocol in accordance with the Annex hereto.

Article 2

Financial contribution - Methods of payment

1.   For the period referred to in Article 1, the total financial contribution referred to in Article 7 of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement shall be EUR 30 700 000 for the whole duration of this Protocol.

2.   This total financial contribution shall comprise:

3.   Paragraph 1 shall apply subject to Articles 3, 4, 5, and 6 of this Protocol.

4.   The European Union shall pay the total amounts fixed in points (a) and (b) of paragraph 2 of this Article each year during the period of application of this Protocol. Payment shall be made no later than 90 days after the date of the start of the provisional application, and no later than the anniversary date of this Protocol for the following years.

6.   Seychelles shall have full discretion regarding the use to which the financial contribution specified in Article 2 (2)(a) is put.

7.   The financial contribution shall be paid into a single Seychelles' Public Treasury account opened with the Central Bank of Seychelles. The account number shall be provided by the Seychelles authorities.

Article 3

Promoting responsible fishing and sustainable fisheries in Seychelles' waters

1.   No later than 90 days after the date of the start of the provisional application, the European Union and Seychelles shall agree, within the Joint Committee provided for in Article 9 of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement, on a multiannual sectoral programme and detailed implementing rules covering, in particular:

2.   Any proposed amendments to the multiannual sectoral programme shall be approved by both Parties within the Joint Committee.

3.   If either Party requests a special meeting of the Joint Committee, as provided by Article 9 of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement, a written request shall be sent by the Party requesting the special meeting of the Joint Committee at least 14 days before the date of the proposed meeting.

4.   Each year, Seychelles may allocate, if necessary, an additional amount to the financial contribution referred to in Article 2(2)(b) with a view to implementing the multiannual programme. This allocation shall be notified to the European Union.

Article 4

Scientific cooperation on responsible fishing

1.   The two Parties hereby undertake to promote responsible fishing in Seychelles' waters based on the principle of non-discrimination between the different fleets fishing in those waters.

2.   During the period covered by this Protocol, the European Union and Seychelles shall endeavour to monitor the state of fishery resources in the Seychelles' EEZ.

3.   The Parties shall also exchange relevant statistical, biological, conservation and environmental information as may be required for the purpose of managing and conserving the living resources.

4.   Both Parties shall endeavour to respect the resolutions and recommendations of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) regarding conservation and responsible management of fisheries.

5.   Based on the recommendations and resolutions taken within the IOTC and the best available scientific advice and, where appropriate, the results of the joint scientific meeting provided for by Article 4 of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement, the two Parties may consult each other within the Joint Committee provided for in Article 9 of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement and, where necessary, agree on the measures to ensure sustainable management of Seychelles' fisheries resources.

Article 5

Adjustment of fishing opportunities and revision of technical provisions by mutual agreement through the Joint Committee

1.   As provided for in Article 9 of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement, the Joint Committee may reassess the fishing opportunities referred to in Article 1 and may adjust them by mutual agreement in the Joint Committee insofar as the recommendations and resolutions of IOTC support that such an adjustment will secure the sustainable management of tuna and tuna-like species in the Indian Ocean.

2.   In this case the financial contribution referred to in Article 2(2)(a) shall be adjusted proportionately and pro rata temporis. However, the total annual amount paid by the European Union shall not be more than twice the figure indicated in Article 2(2)(a).

3.   The Joint Committee may also, as necessary, revise by mutual agreement technical provisions of this Protocol and the Annex thereto.

Article 6

New fishing opportunities

1.   In the event that European Union fishing vessels become interested in engaging in fisheries not provided for in Article 1 of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement, the Parties shall consult each other before any possible authorisation is granted for any such activities and, where appropriate, agree on the conditions for such fishing including effecting corresponding amendments to this Protocol and the Annex thereto.

2.   The Parties should encourage experimental fishing, especially relating to under exploited deep water species, present in Seychelles' waters. To this end, and at the request of a Party, the Parties shall consult each other with a view to determining on a case-by-case basis, the species, conditions and other parameters that are relevant.

3.   The Parties shall carry out experimental fishing in accordance with parameters that will be agreed by both Parties in an administrative arrangement where appropriate. The authorisations for experimental fishing should be agreed for a maximum period of 6 months.

4.   In the event that the Parties consider that experimental campaigns have given positive results, the Government of Seychelles may allocate fishing possibilities of the new species to the European Union fleet until the expiration of this Protocol. The financial compensation mentioned in Article 2(2)(a) of this Protocol shall consequently be increased. Ship-owners' fees and conditions as provided for in the Annex shall be amended accordingly.

Article 7

Suspension and review of the payment of the financial contribution

1.   Notwithstanding the provisions laid out in Article 8 of this Protocol, the financial contribution referred to in Article 2(2)(a) and (b) shall be reviewed or suspended after consultation between the two Parties provided that the European Union has paid in full any amounts due at the time of suspension:

2.   The European Union reserves the right to suspend, totally or partially, the payment of the specific contribution provided for in Article 2(2)(b) where the results of the sectoral policy support obtained are found to be materially inconsistent with the budgeted programming following the evaluation carried out and consultations within the Joint Committee as provided by Article 3 of this Protocol.

3.   Payment of the financial contribution and fishing activities may recommence once the situation has returned to the status prior to the occurrence of the above-mentioned circumstances and if the two Parties agree to do so following consultation.

Article 8

Suspension of the implementation of the Protocol

1.   The implementation of this Protocol shall be suspended at the initiative of either one of the Parties subject to consultations between and agreement of the Parties within the Joint Committee provided for in Article 9 of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement:

2.   Suspension of implementation of this Protocol shall require the Party concerned to notify its intention in writing at least three months before the date on which the suspension is due to take effect.

3.   In the event of suspension of implementation, the Parties shall continue to consult with a view to finding an amicable settlement to their dispute. Where such settlement is reached, implementation of this Protocol shall resume and the amount of the financial contribution shall be reduced proportionately and pro rata temporis according to the period during which implementation of this Protocol was suspended.

Article 9

Applicable law

1.   The activities of European Union fishing vessels in Seychelles' EEZ are subject to the laws and regulations of Seychelles unless otherwise provided under this Protocol and its Annex.

2.   Both Parties shall notify forthwith each other of any changes in their respective fisheries policy or legislation.

Article 10

Confidentiality

Both Parties shall ensure that only aggregated data related to fishing activities in the Seychelles' waters shall be made available to the public domain, in conformity with the provision of the appropriate IOTC resolution. Data which may be considered as otherwise confidential shall only be used exclusively for the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement and for the purposes of fisheries management, monitoring, control and surveillance with the relevant competent authorities.

Article 11

Electronic exchanges of data

1.   The Seychelles and the European Union will undertake to implement the necessary systems for the electronic exchange of all information and documents related to the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement and this Protocol. The electronic form of a document at any point will be considered equivalent to its paper version.

2.   Both Parties will immediately notify the other Party of any disruption of a computer system impeding such exchanges. In these circumstances, the information and documents related to the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement and this Protocol shall be automatically replaced by their paper version in the manner defined in the Annex.

Article 12

Mid-term Review

The Parties agree that in order to evaluate the functioning and effectiveness of this Protocol, a mid-term review will be held three years following the date of the start of the provisional application of this Protocol.

Article 13

Termination

1.   In the event of termination of this Protocol, the Party concerned shall notify the other Party in writing of its intention to terminate it at least six months before the date on which such termination should take effect.

2.   Dispatch of the notification referred to in the previous paragraph shall open consultations by the Parties.

Article 14

Obligation on Expiry of Protocol or Termination

1.   In the case of the expiry of the Protocol or its termination as provided by Article 12, EU vessel owners shall continue to be liable for any breach of the provisions of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement or this Protocol or any laws of the Seychelles which occurred before the expiry or termination of this Protocol, or for any licence fee or any outstanding dues not paid at the time of expiry or termination.

2.   If necessary, the two Parties shall continue to monitor the implementation of the sectoral support provided under Article 2(2)(b) of this Protocol.

Article 15

Provisional Application

This Protocol shall be applied provisionally as from 18 January 2014.

Article 16

Entry into force

This Protocol shall enter into force on the date on which the Parties notify each other of the completion of the procedures necessary for that purpose.

Съставено в Брюксел на осемнадесети декември две хиляди и тринадесета година.

Hecho en Bruselas, el dieciocho de diciembre de dos mil trece.

V Bruselu dne osmnáctého prosince dva tisíce třináct.

Udfærdiget i Bruxelles den attende december to tusind og tretten.

Geschehen zu Brüssel am achtzehnten Dezember zweitausenddreizehn.

               Kahe tuhande kolmeteistkümnenda aasta detsembrikuu kaheksateistkümnendal päeval Brüsselis.

Έγινε στις Βρυξέλλες, στις δέκα οκτώ Δεκεμβρίου δύο χιλιάδες δεκατρία.

Done at Brussels on the eighteenth day of December in the year two thousand and thirteen.

Fait à Bruxelles, le dix-huit décembre deux mille treize.

Sastavljeno u Bruxellesu osamnaestog prosinca dvije tisuće trinaeste.

Fatto a Bruxelles, addì diciotto dicembre duemilatredici.

Briselē, divi tūkstoši trīspadsmitā gada astoņpadsmitajā decembrī.

Priimta du tūkstančiai tryliktų metų gruodžio aštuonioliktą dieną Briuselyje.

Kelt Brüsszelben, a kétezer-tizenharmadik év december havának tizennyolcadik napján.

Magħmul fi Brussell, fit-tmintax-il jum ta’ Diċembru tas-sena elfejn u tlettax.

Gedaan te Brussel, de achttiende december tweeduizend dertien.

Sporządzono w Brukseli dnia osiemnastego grudnia roku dwa tysiące trzynastego.

Feito em Bruxelas, em dezoito de dezembro de dois mil e treze.

Întocmit la Bruxelles la optsprezece decembrie două mii treisprezece.

V Bruseli osemnásteho decembra dvetisíctrinásť.

V Bruslju, dne osemnajstega decembra leta dva tisoč trinajst.

Tehty Brysselissä kahdeksantenatoista päivänä joulukuuta vuonna kaksituhattakolmetoista.

Som skedde i Bryssel den artonde december tjugohundratretton.

За Европейския съюз

Por la Unión Europea

Za Evropskou unii

For Den Europæiske Union

Für die Europäische Union

Euroopa Liidu nimel

Για την Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση

For the European Union

Pour l'Union européenne

Za Europsku uniju

Per l'Unione europea

Eiropas Savienības vārdā –

Europos Sąjungos vardu

Az Európai Unió részéről

Għall-Unjoni Ewropea

Voor de Europese Unie

W imieniu Unii Europejskiej

Pela União Europeia

Pentru Uniunea Europeană

Za Európsku úniu

Za Evropsko unijo

Euroopan unionin puolesta

För Europeiska unionen

За Република Сейшели

Por la República de Seychelles

Za Seychelskou republiku

For Republikken Seychellerne

Für die Republik Seychellen

Seišelli Vabariigi nimel

Για τη Δημοκρατία των Σεϋχελλών

For the Republic of Seychelles

Pour la République des Seychelles

Za Republiku Sejšele

Per la Repubblica delle Seychelles

Seišelu Salu Republikas vārdā –

Seišelių Respublikos vardu

A Seychelle Köztársaság részéről

Għar-Repubblika tas-Seychelles

Voor de Republiek der Seychellen

W imieniu Republiki Seszeli

Pela República das Seicheles

Pentru Republica Seychelles

Za Seychelskú republiku

Za Republiko Sejšeli

Seychellien tasavallan puolesta

För Republiken Seychellerna

----

ANNEX

CONDITIONS FOR THE PURSUIT OF FISHING ACTIVITIES BY EUROPEAN UNION VESSELS IN SEYCHELLES' WATERS

CHAPTER I

MANAGEMENT MEASURES

Section 1

Application and issue of fishing authorisations

Section 2

Fishing authorisation conditions – fees and advance payments

Section 3

Supply vessels

CHAPTER II

FISHING AREAS

CHAPTER III

MONITORING

Section 1

Catch recording

Section 2

Catch communication: entering and leaving seychelles' waters

Section 3

Landing

Section 4

Transhipment

Section 5

Vessel monitoring system (VMS)

With regards to the Vessel Monitoring System, all EU fishing vessels fishing, or intending to fish, in the fishing areas within the Seychelles' EEZ under this Agreement, shall comply with all the provisions defined in Appendix 8.

CHAPTER IV

EMBARKING SEAMEN

CHAPTER V

OBSERVERS

CHAPTER VI

PORT EQUIPMENT AND USE OF SUPPLIES AND SERVICES

European Union vessels shall endeavour to procure in Seychelles all supplies and services required for their operations. The Seychelles authorities shall lay down, in agreement with the shipowners, the conditions for using port equipment and, if necessary, supplies and services.

CHAPTER VII

CONTROL

Vessels shall comply with the written laws of Seychelles regarding fishing gears and the technical specifications thereof and all other technical measures applicable to their fishing activities, as well as with the conservation, management and other measures adopted by the IOTC.

1.   Vessel list

The European Union shall keep an up-to-date list of the vessels to which a fishing authorisation has been issued under this Protocol. This list shall be notified to the authorities of Seychelles responsible for fisheries inspection as soon as it is drawn up and each time it is updated.

2.   Control procedures

3.   Masters of European Union fishing vessels engaged in landing or transhipment operations in a port of Seychelles shall allow and facilitate the inspection of such operations by Seychelles authorised officers.

4.   Where the provisions set out in this Chapter are not complied with, the Government of Seychelles reserves the right to suspend the fishing authorisation of the offending vessel until formalities have been completed and to apply the penalty laid down in existing Seychelles' legislation. The flag Member State and the European Commission shall be informed thereof.

CHAPTER VIII

ENFORCEMENT

1.   Sanctions

2.   Arrest and detention of fishing vessels

The Seychelles authorities shall inform immediately the Delegation of the European Union responsible for the Seychelles and the EU flag State, of the arrest and/or detention of any fishing vessel operating under the Fisheries Partnership Agreement and shall transmit a copy of the inspection report, detailing the circumstances and reasons of the arrest and/or detention within 48 hours.

3.   Information exchange procedure in the event of arrest and/or detention

4.   Settlement of arrest and/or detention

5.   The European Commission, via the Delegation of the European Union, shall be kept informed of any proceedings initiated and any penalties imposed.

Appendices

Appendix 1 – Fishing Authorisation Application form

Appendix 2 – Geographical Coordinates

Appendix 3 – Fishing Logbook sheet – Tuna Seiners

Appendix 4 – Fishing Logbook sheet – Longliners

Appendix 5 – Communication Format Reports

Appendix 6 – ERS Framework Guidelines

Appendix 7 – Seychelles Contact Details

Appendix 8 – VMS Framework

Appendix 9 – Guidelines for engaging Seychelles Seamen on EU Purse Seine vessels

Appendix 1

SEYCHELLES LICENSING AUTHORITY

Application for Foreign Fishing Authorisation
Text of image

I - APPLICANT

1. Name of applicant: ...

2. Name of the Producer Organisation (PO), or ship-owner's representative: ...

3. Address of the PO or ship-owner's representative: ...

4. Tel No: ...

Fax: ...

e-mail: ...

5. Master's name: ...

Nationality: ...

e-mail: ...

6. Ship-owner or chartering entity if different from above: ...

II - VESSEL IDENTIFICATION DETAILS

1. Name of vessel: ...

2. Flag State: ...

Port of registration: ...

3. External marks: ...

MMSI: ...

IMO No.:...

RFMO No.: ...

4. Date of current flag registration (DD/MM/YYYY): .../.../...

Previous flag (if applicable): ...

5. Place of construction: ...

Date (DD/MM/YYYY): .../.../...

IRCS: ...

6. Radio call frequency: HF: ...

VHF: ...

Vessel Satellite Phone No.: ...

III - VESSEL TECHNICAL DETAILS

1. Vessel LOA (mts): ...

BOA (mts): ...

GT: ...

Net T: ...

2. Hull material:

Steel

Wood

Polyester

Other ...

3. Engine type: ...

Engine power (in HP) : ...

Engine manufacturer: ...

4. Max. crew members: ...

No of seamen embarked under FPA: ...

5. Conservation method on board:

Ice

Refrigeration

Mixed

Frozen

6. Processing capacity per day (24h) in tonnes: ...

No. of fish holds: ...

Total capacity of fish holds (m3) : ...

7. Type of vessel:

Purse Seiner

Longliner

Support Vessel (*)

8. VMS. details of the automatic location device:

Manufacturer: ...

Model: ...

Serial No.: ...

Software version: ...

Satellite Operator (MCSP): ...

IV - FISHING ACTIVITY

1. Fishing gear authorised: ...

2. Authorised fishing zones: ...

Target species: ...

3. License period requested from (DD/MM/YYYY): .../.../...

To: .../.../...

4. Requirement for disposal of by-catch: AS PER FISHERIES ACT AND REGULATION.

5. Reporting requirement: AS PER FISHERIES ACT AND REGULATION.

6. Designated ports landing/transhipping: PORT VICTORIA, MAHE, SEYCHELLES.

I the undersigned, hereby certify that the information provided in this application is true and correct and given in good faith.

(*) The list of fishing vessels supported by this Support Vessel should be attached to this form, if possible. The list should contain the name and RFMO (IOTC) number.

Text of image

Issued in ,

20

Signature of the applicant:

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Licence fee EUR:

Processing fees EUR:

Cash

Cheque No.:

Bank transfer refa:

Receipt No:

Signature of cashier:

Date (DD/MM/YYYY): / /

Appendix 2

1.   Geographical Coordinates

Seychelles' EEZ

2.   Geographical Coordinates

Forbidden and Restricted Fishing Zones within Seychelles' EEZ

(As defined in the Laws of Seychelles, Fisheries Act Chapter 82, revised edition 2010)

Zone 1 -   Mahe Island and Seychelles Bank

Zone 2 -   Platte Island

Zone 3 -   Coetivy Island

Zone 4 -   Fortune Bank

Zone 5 -   Amirantes Islands

Zone 6 -   Alphonse Island

Zone 7 -   Province, Farquhar and St Pierre and Wizard Reef

Zone 8 -   Cosmoledo and Astove islands

Zone 9 -   Aldabra and Assomption Islands

Appendix 3

Statement of catch form for tuna seiners / Fiche de déclaration de captures pour thoniers senneurs

SIGNATURE DATE

Appendix 4

Appendix 5

Communication Format Reports

Entry Report (COE) (1)

Exit Report (COX) (2)

Catch Report (CAT) Format once inside Fishing Zones within Seychelles' EEZ (3)

All reports shall be transmitted to the competent authority through the following contacts:

E-mail: fmcsc@sfa.sc

Fax: +248 4225 957

Mail address: Seychelles Fishing Authority, P.O. Box 449, Fishing Port, Mahé, Seychelles         

----

(1)  Sent six (6) Hours before entering Fishing Zones within Seychelles' EEZ.

(2)  Sent six (6) Hours before entering Fishing Zones within Seychelles' EEZ.

(3)  Every three (3) days after entering Fishing Zones within Seychelles' EEZ.

Appendix 6

Framework guidelines for the implementation and management of an electronic system to record and report fishing activities data (ERS)

General Provisions

Reporting and transmission of ERS data

Failure of the ERS system aboard the ship, and/or for the transmission of ERS data between the vessel and the FMC of the flag State

Failure of the FMC - Non-receipt of the ERS data by the FMC of Seychelles

Maintenance of an FMC

Appendix 7

Seychelles Contact Coordinates

1.   Seychelles Fishing Authority

Address:

E-mail:

Telephone:

Fax:

2.   Seychelles Licensing Authority

Address:

E-mail:

Telephone:

Fax:

3.   Seychelles Fishing Monitoring Centre (FMC)

Address:

E-mail:

Telephone:

Fax:

Focal point

Name:

E-mail:

Mobile Phone:

Appendix 8

Vessel Monitoring System (VMS)

General Principles

Integrity of the VMS

VMS data transmission

Malfunction of the VMS equipment on board of the vessel

FMC failure - Non-receipt of VMS data by the Seychelles FMC

Maintenance of an FMC

Appendix

COMMUNICATION OF VMS MESSAGES TO SEYCHELLES

POSITION REPORT (POS)

A.   Content of position report and definition of the data elements

B.   Structure of the position report

Each data transmission is structured as follows:

Appendix 9

Guidelines for the engaging of Seychelles Seamen on EU Purse Seine vessels

The Seychelles authorities shall ensure that personnel engaged to be employed on EU vessels shall meet the following requirements:

----