EN Official Journal of the European Union L 168/3

PROTOCOL

setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe





Article 1

Period of application and fishing opportunities

1. The fishing opportunities granted to European Union vessels under Article 5 of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement shall be set out, for a period of four (4) years from the date of provisional application, to allow the highly migratory species listed in Annex 1 to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982) to be caught, with the exception of species protected or prohibited by ICCAT.

2. The fishing opportunities are awarded to:

(a) 28 tuna seiners;

(b) 6 surface longliners.

3. Paragraph 1 shall apply subject to Articles 5, 6, 7 and 8 of this Protocol.

4. In accordance with Article 6 of the Agreement, fishing vessels flying the flag of a Member State of the European Union may fish in São Toméan waters only if they are in possession of a fishing authorisation (fishing licence) issued under this Protocol.

Article 2

Financial contribution — Methods of payment

1. For the period referred to in Article 1, the financial contribution referred to in Article 7 of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement shall be EUR 2 805 000.

2. The financial contribution comprises:

(a) an annual amount for access to the EEZ of São Tomé and Príncipe of EUR 385 000 for the first three years and EUR 350 000 for the fourth year, equivalent to a reference tonnage of 7 000 tonnes per year, and

(b) a specific amount of EUR 325 000 per year for four years to support the implementation of the sectoral fisheries policy of São Tomé and Príncipe.

3. Paragraph 1 shall apply subject to Articles 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8 of this Protocol and Articles 12 and 13 of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement.

4. The European Union shall pay the financial contribution referred to in paragraph 1 at the rate of EUR 710 000 per year during the first three years and EUR 675 000 for the fourth year, corresponding to the total of the annual amounts referred to in paragraph 2(a) and (b).

5. If the overall annual quantity of catches by European Union vessels in São Toméan waters exceeds the annual reference tonnage referred to in paragraph 2, the total amount of the annual financial contribution shall be increased by EUR 55 for the first three years and by EUR 50 for the fourth year for each additional tonne caught. However, the total annual amount paid by the European Union shall not be more than twice the amount indicated in paragraph 2(a). Where the quantities caught by European Union vessels exceed quantities corresponding to twice the total annual amount, the amount due for the quantity exceeding that limit shall be paid the following year.

6. Payment shall be made no later than ninety (90) days after the provisional entry into force of the Protocol for the first year, and no later than the Protocol's anniversary date for the following years.

7. The São Toméan authorities shall have full discretion regarding the use to which the financial contribution referred to in paragraph 2(a) is put.

8. The financial contribution referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article shall be paid into a Public Treasury account opened with the National Bank of São Tomé and Príncipe, with the financial contribution referred to in paragraph 2(b) of this Article assigned to sectoral aid being made available to the Directorate for Fisheries. The São Toméan authorities shall notify the European Commission of the relevant bank account numbers on an annual basis.

Article 3

Promotion of responsible and sustainable fishing in São Toméan waters

1. No later than three (3) months after the entry into force of this Protocol, the parties shall agree, within the Joint Committee provided for in Article 9 of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement, on a multiannual sectoral programme and detailed rules for its implementation, in particular:

(a) annual and multiannual guidelines for using the financial contribution referred to in Article 2(2)(b);

(b) the objectives, both annual and multiannual, to be achieved with a view to introducing, over time, responsible and sustainable fishing, taking account of the priorities expressed by São Tomé and Príncipe in its national fisheries policy or other policies relating to or having an impact on the introduction of responsible and sustainable fishing, particularly with regard to small-scale fishing and the monitoring, control and combating of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing;

(c) criteria and procedures for evaluating the results obtained each year.

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

3. Each year, the the authorities of São Tomé and Príncipe may decide to allocate an additional amount over and above the share of the financial contribution referred to in Article 2(2)(b) with a view to implementing the multiannual programme. This allocation shall be communicated to the European Union no later than two (2) months before the anniversary date of this Protocol.

4. Each year, the two parties shall carry out an evaluation of the progress made in implementing the multiannual sectoral programme. Where this evaluation indicates that the objectives financed directly by the part of the financial contribution referred to in Article 2(2)(b) of this Protocol have not been satisfactorily achieved, the European Commission reserves the right to reduce that part of the financial contribution with a view to aligning the amount allocated to the implementation of the programme with the results.

Article 4

Scientific cooperation on responsible fishing

1. The two parties hereby undertake to promote responsible fishing in São Toméan waters based on the principle of non-discrimination between the different fleets operating in those waters.

2. During the period covered by this Protocol, the European Union and São Tomé and Príncipe shall undertake to cooperate to monitor the state of fishery resources in the São Toméan fishing zone.

3. With regard to the region of Central Africa, the two parties undertake to promote cooperation as regards responsible fishing. The two parties undertake to comply with all recommendations and resolutions issued by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT).

4. In accordance with Article 4 of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement, on the basis of the recommendations and resolutions adopted within ICCAT and in the light of the best scientific advice available, the parties shall consult each other within the Joint Committee provided for in Article 9 of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement to take measures to ensure sustainable management of the fish species covered by this Protocol as far as the activities of European Union vessels are concerned.

Article 5

Review of fishing opportunities and technical measures by mutual agreement

1. The fishing opportunities referred to in Article 1 may be amended by mutual agreement insofar as the recommendations and resolutions adopted by ICCAT confirm that this amendment guarantees the sustainable management of the fish species covered by this Protocol. In this case, the financial contribution referred to in Article 2(2)(a) shall be amended proportionately and pro rata temporis. However, the total annual amount of the financial contribution paid by the European Union shall not be more than twice the amount referred to in Article 2(2)(a).

2. Where necessary, the Joint Committee may examine and adapt, by mutual agreement, the provisions governing the pursuit of fishing activities and the rules for implementing this Protocol and the Annex hereto.

Article 6

New fishing opportunities

1. As regards the operation of fisheries not covered by this Protocol, the authorities of São Tomé and Príncipe may call on the European Union to consider the possibility of such fisheries, on the basis of the results of a scientific campaign taking account of best scientific advice endorsed by scientific experts representing both parties.

2. Depending on these results, and if the European Union expresses an interest in these fisheries, the two parties shall consult each other in the Joint Committee before the granting of an authorisation by the São Toméan authorities. Where appropriate, the parties shall agree on the conditions applicable to these new fishing opportunities and, if necessary, make amendments to this Protocol and to the Annex hereto.

Article 7

Suspension and review of the payment of the financial contribution

1. The financial contribution, as referred to in Article 2(2)(a) and (b), may be revised or suspended if one or more of the following conditions apply:

(a) where unusual circumstances, as defined in Article 2(h) of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement, prevent fishing activities in the São Toméan EEZ;

(b) where, following significant changes in the definition and implementation of the fishery policy guidelines which led to the conclusion of this Protocol, one of the two parties requests a review of its provisions with a view to a possible amendment;

(c) if a violation of the essential and fundamental human rights laid down in Article 9 of the Cotonou Agreement is noted following the procedure provided for in Articles 8 and 96 of that Agreement.

2. The European Union reserves the right to suspend, partially or totally, payment of the specific financial contribution provided for in Article 2(2)(b) of this Protocol:

(a) if the results obtained are inconsistent with the programming, following an evaluation carried out by the Joint Committee;

(b) in the event of failure to implement this financial contribution.

3. Payment of the financial contribution shall resume after consultation and agreement by the two parties, as soon as the situation existing prior to the events mentioned in paragraph 1 has been re-established and/or if the results of the financial implementation referred to in paragraph 2 so warrant. Nevertheless, the specific financial contribution provided for in Article 2(2)(b) may not be paid out beyond a period of six (6) months after the Protocol expires.

Article 8

Suspension of the Protocol's implementation

1. The implementation of this Protocol may be suspended at the initiative of one of the two parties if one or more of the following conditions apply:

(a) where unusual circumstances, as defined in Article 2(h) of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement, prevent fishing activities in the São Toméan EEZ;

(b) where, following significant changes in the definition and implementation of the fishery policy guidelines which led to the conclusion of this Protocol, one of the two parties requests a review of its provisions with a view to a possible amendment;

(c) where one of the two parties notes that there has been a violation of the essential and fundamental human rights laid down in Article 9 of the Cotonou Agreement and following the procedure provided for in Articles 8 and 96 of that Agreement;

(d) in the event of failure to pay the financial contribution provided for in Article 2(2)(a) by the European Union, for reasons other than those provided for in this Article;

(e) where there is a dispute between the two parties concerning the application or interpretation of this Protocol.

2. Implementation of the Protocol may be suspended at the initiative of one party if it has not been possible to settle the dispute between the parties in consultations held within the Joint Committee.

3. Suspension of application of the Protocol shall require the interested party to notify its intention in writing at least three (3) months before the date on which suspension is due to take effect.

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

Article 9

Applicable provisions of national law

1. The activities of European Union fishing vessels operating in São Toméan waters shall be governed by the applicable law in São Tomé and Príncipe, unless otherwise provided for in the Fisheries Partnership Agreement, this Protocol and the Annex and appendices hereto.

2. The São Toméan authorities shall inform the European Commission of any change or any new legislation relating to the fishing sector.

3. The European Commission shall inform the authorities of São Tomé and Príncipe of any change or any new legislation relating to the fishing activities of the European Union distant-water fleet.

Article 10

Electronic communication

1. São Tomé and Príncipe and the European Union undertake to install as soon as possible the computer systems required for the electronic exchange of all the information and documents relating to the implementation of the Agreement.

2. The electronic form of a document will be considered equivalent to the paper version in every respect.

3. São Tomé and Príncipe and the European Union shall inform each other without delay of any malfunction of a computer system. The information and documents relating to the implementation of the Agreement shall then be automatically replaced by their paper version.

Article 11

Confidentiality of data

1. São Tomé and Príncipe and the European Union undertake that all nominative data relating to EU vessels and their fishing activities obtained within the framework of the Agreement will, at all times, be processed strictly in accordance with the principles of confidentiality and data protection.

2. The two parties shall ensure that only aggregate data on fishing activities in São Toméan waters are made publicly available, in line with the relevant ICCAT provisions. Data which may be considered confidential must be used by the competent authorities exclusively for the purposes of implementing the Agreement and for fishery management, controls and monitoring.

Article 12

Duration

This Protocol and the Annex hereto shall apply for a period of four (4) years from their provisional application in accordance with Articles 14 and 15, unless notice of termination is given in accordance with Article 13.

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 the Protocol at least six (6) months before the date on which such termination would take effect.

2. Dispatch of the notification, as referred to in the previous paragraph, shall open consultations between the parties.

Article 14

Provisional application

This Protocol shall be applied provisionally from the date of its signature but no earlier than 13 May 2014.

Article 15

Entry into force

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

For the European Union For the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe Съставено в Брюксел на двадесет и трети май две хиляди и четиринадесета година. Hecho en Bruselas, el veintitrés de mayo de dos mil catorce. V Bruselu dne dvacátého třetího května dva tisíce čtrnáct. Udfærdiget i Bruxelles den treogtyvende maj to tusind og fjorten. Geschehen zu Brüssel am dreiundzwanzigsten Mai zweitausendvierzehn. Kahe tuhande neljateistkümnenda aasta maikuu kahekümne kolmandal päeval Brüsselis. 'Εγινε στις Βρυξέλλες, στις είκοσι τρεις Μαΐου δύο χιλιάδες δεκατέσσερα. Done at Brussels on the twenty-third day of May in the year two thousand and fourteen. Fait à Bruxelles, le vingt-trois mai deux mille quatorze. Sastavljeno u Bruxellesu dvadeset trećeg svibnja dvije tisuće četrnaeste. Fatto a Bruxelles, addì ventitré maggio duemilaquattordici. Briselē, divi tūkstoši četrpadsmitā gada divdesmit trešajā maijā. Priimta du tūkstančiai keturioliktų metų gegužės dvidešimt trečią dieną Briuselyje. Kelt Brüsszelben, a kétezer-tizennegyedik év május havának huszonharmadik napján. Magħmul fi Brussell, fit-tlieta u għoxrin jum ta’ Mejju tas-sena elfejn u erbatax. Gedaan te Brussel, de drieëntwintigste mei tweeduizend veertien. Sporządzono w Brukseli dnia dwudziestego trzeciego maja roku dwa tysiące czternastego. Feito em Bruxelas, em vinte e três de maio de dois mil e catorze. Întocmit la Bruxelles la douăzeci și trei mai două mii paisprezece. V Bruseli dvadsiateho tretieho mája dvetisícštrnásť. V Bruslju, dne triindvajsetega maja leta dva tisoč štirinajst. Tehty Brysselissä kahdentenakymmenentenäkolmantena päivänä toukokuuta vuonna kaksituhattaneljätoista. Som skedde i Bryssel den tjugotredje maj tjugohundrafjorton. За Европейския съюз Рог 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 правителството на Демократична република Cao Томе и Принсипи Por el Gobierno de la República Democrática de Santo Tomé y Príncipe Za vládu Demokratické republiky Svatý Tomáš a Princův ostrov For regeringen for Den Demokratiske Republik São Tomé og Principe Für die Regierung der Demokratischen Republik São Tomé und Príncipe São Tomé ja Príncipe Demokraatliku Vabariigi valitsuse nimel Για την κυβέρνηση της Λαϊκής Δημοκρατίας του Σάο Τομέ και Πρίνοτπε For the Government of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe Pour le gouvernement de la République démocratique de São Tomé e Principe Za vladu Demokratske Republike Svetog Tome i Prinsipea Per il governo della Repubblica democratica di São Tomé e Príncipe Santomes un Prinsipi Demokrātiskās Republikas valdības vārdā — San Tomė ir Prinsipės Demokratinės Respublikos Vyriausybės vardu A São Tomé és Príncipe Demokratikus Köztársaság kormánya részéről Għall-Gvern tar-Repubblika Demokratika ta' Sao Tome u Prinċipe Voor de regering van de Democratische Republiek São Tomé en Príncipe W imieniu Rządu Demokratycznej Republiki Wysp Świętego Tomasza i Książęcej Pelo Governo da República Democrática de São Tomé e Príncipe Pentru guvernul Republicii Democrate São Tomé și Príncipe Za vládu Demokratickej republiky Svätého Tomáša a Princovho ostrova Za vlado Demokratične republike São Tomé in Príncipe São Tomé ja Príncipen demokraattisen tasavallan hallituksen puolesta För Demokratiska republiken São Tomé och Principes regerings vägnar