PROTOCOL

setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Islamic Federal Republic of the Comoros on fishing off the Comoros for the period 20 July 1991 to 19 July 1994

THE CONTRACTING PARTIES,

Having regard to the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Islamic Federal Republic of the Comoros on fishing off the Comoros, signed on 20 July 1988,

HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

1. Pursuant to Article 2 of the Agreement, licences authorizing simultaneous fishing in Comorian waters shall be granted to 42 ocean-going freezer tuna vessels for a period of three years beginning on 20 July 1991.

2. In addition, at the request of the Community, certain authorizations may be granted to other categories of fishing vessel under terms to be defined by the Joint Committee referred to in Article 7 of the Agreement.

Article 2

1. The financial contribution referred to in Article 6 of the Agreement shall be fixed at ECU 900 000 for the period provided for in Article 1 of this Protocol, payable in three equal annual instalments. That amount shall cover an annual catch of 6 000 tonnes of tuna in Comorian waters. If the tuna caught by Community vessels in Comorian waters exceeds that weight, the abovementioned amount shall be increased proportionately.

2. The use to which the contribution is to be put shall fall within the exclusive competence of the Government of the Islamic Federal Republic of the Comoros.

Article 3

1. The Community shall also contribute, during the period referred to in Article 1, to the financing of Comorian scientific or technical programmes (equipment, infrastructure, reinforcement of administrative and training structures in the fishing sector, etc.) designed to improve knowledge of fishery resources in Comorian waters.

2. That contribution shall be ECU 325 000 for the duration of this Protocol.

3. The Comorian authorities shall forward a brief report on the way that amount is used to the Commission staff.

4. The Community's contribution to the scientific or technical programmes shall be paid to an account indicated on each occasion by the Ministry of Production, Rural Development, Industry and the Environment.

Article 4

1. The Contracting Parties hereby agree that improving the skills and knowledge of those concerned with sea fishing is essential to the success of their cooperation. To that end, the Community shall facilitate the entry of Comorian nationals to establishments in its Member States and for that purpose shall make available to them grants for study or practical training courses lasting a maximum of five years in the various scientific, technical and economic fields linked to fishing. The total cost of such grants may not exceed ECU 175 000. The grants may also be used in any country linked to the Community by a cooperation agreement.

2. A part of the amount referred to in paragraph 1, which must not exceed ECU 55 000, may be used, at the request of the Comorian authorities, to cover the costs of participation in international meetings relating to fishing.

3. The amount referred to in paragraph 1 shall be payable as it is used.

Article 5

Should the Community fail to make the payments provided for in Articles 2 and 3, the Fishing Agreement may be suspended.

Article 6

The Protocol to the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Islamic Federal Republic of the Comoros on fishing off the Comoros is hereby repealed and replaced by this Protocol.

Article 7

This Protocol shall enter into force on the date of its signature.

It shall apply from 20 July 1991.