[pic] | COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES |

Brussels, 31.10.2007

COM(2007) 665 final

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

on the signing, on behalf of the European Community, and the provisional application of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters on the amendments to the Protocol setting out, for the period from 18 January 2005 to 17 January 2011, the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Republic of Seychelles

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

The purpose of this proposal is to amend the existing Protocol to the Agreement on cooperation in the sea fisheries sector between the European Community and the Republic of Seychelles.

Following the meeting of the EC/Seychelles Joint Committee in January 2007, it was decided that the two Parties would organise a meeting of the Joint Committee in accordance with Article 11 of the Protocol and Article 9 of the Agreement in order to submit proposals for amendments to the Protocol. These were discussed at the meeting of the Joint Committee held on 20-21 March in Brussels. The amendments which have been negotiated increase the reference tonnage from 55 000 tonnes to 63 000 tonnes, taking account of the average level of catches over the past three years, introduce financial support for the partnership and increase the share paid by shipowners from EUR 25 to EUR 35 per tonne to bring the Protocol into line with other tuna agreements. The Community contribution is therefore reduced from EUR 75 to EUR 65 per tonne. The total financial contribution therefore increases from EUR 4 125 000 to EUR 5 355 000 and the estimated fee payable by shipowners from EUR 1 375 000 to EUR 2 205 000.

This amended Protocol is to be applied provisionally from 18 January 2008 pending its entry into force in accordance with Article 13 thereof.

The Commission proposes on this basis that the Council adopt by Decision the provisional application of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters pending its definitive entry into force.

A proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters on the amendments to the Protocol is the subject of a separate procedure.

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

on the signing, on behalf of the European Community, and the provisional application of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters on the amendments to the Protocol setting out, for the period from 18 January 2005 to 17 January 2011, the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Republic of Seychelles

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 37 in conjunction with Article 300(2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission[1],

Whereas:

1. The Protocol setting out, for the period from 18 January 2005 to 17 January 2011, the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Republic of Seychelles on fishing off Seychelles was adopted by Council Regulation (EC) No 115/2006 on 23 January 2006.

2. In view of the extremely good utilisation of the current fisheries Agreement, the Seychelles authorities’ wish to strengthen the partnership and the Community authorities’ desire to bring this Protocol into line with other tuna protocols, the two Parties have initialled amendments to the existing Protocol in the form of an Exchange of Letters. The outcome of these amendments has been the subject of an Exchange of Letters and involves an increase in the reference tonnage, the introduction of financial support for the partnership and adjustment of the ratio between the shares paid by shipowners and the Community budget.

3. In order for these amendments to the current Protocol to apply from 18 January 2008, the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters should be signed, pending a definitive decision, subject to its definitive conclusion by the Council.

4. These amendments do not alter the allocation of fishing opportunities among the Member States,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The signature of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters amending the Protocol setting out, for the period from 18 January 2005 to 17 January 2011, the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement on cooperation in the sea fisheries sector between the European Community and the Republic of Seychelles is hereby approved by the Council on behalf of the Community.

The text of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters is attached to this Decision.

Article 2

The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person(s) empowered to sign the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters on behalf of the Community subject to its conclusion.

Article 3

The Agreement in the form of an Exchange of letters shall be applied provisionally by the Community from 18 January 2008.

Article 4

The fishing opportunities set out in the Protocol and laid down in Regulation (EC) No 115/2006 on 23 January 2006 shall not be amended and are confirmed as follows:

Types of fishing | Member State | Fishing opportunities |

Tuna seiners | France Spain Italy | 17 vessels 22 vessels 1 vessel |

Surface longliners | Spain France Portugal | 2 vessels 5 vessels. 5 vessels. |

If licence applications from the Member States do not cover all the fishing opportunities laid down by the Protocol, the Commission may take into consideration licence applications from any other Member State.

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President

Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters on the provisional application of the amendments to the Protocol setting out, for the period from 18 January 2005 to 17 January 2011, the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Republic of Seychelles on fishing in Seychelles fishing zones

A. Letter from the Government of the Republic of Seychelles:

Sir,

I am delighted that the Republic of Seychelles and European Community negotiators have been able to reach a consensus on amendments to the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution and its Annexes.

The negotiations held in Brussels on 20-21 March 2007 have enabled adjustments to be made to the fishing opportunities provided for in the Protocol setting out, for the period from 18 January 2005 to 17 January 2011, the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Republic of Seychelles on fishing in Seychelles fishing zones. The amendments made to this Protocol are attached hereto. The amended Protocol having been initialled by the two Parties on 21 March 2007, I would propose continuing in parallel the procedures for approval and/or ratification of the texts of the amended Protocol and its Annex and Appendices in accordance with the procedures in force in the Republic of Seychelles and in the European Community and necessary to their entry into force.

In order to avoid interrupting fishing activities by Community vessels in Seychelles waters, and referring to the Protocol amended on 21 March 2007 and setting out, for the period from 18 January 2008 to 17 January 2011, the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution, I have the honour to inform you that the Government of the Republic of Seychelles is willing to apply this amended Protocol provisionally from 18 January 2008 pending its entry into force in accordance with Article 13 of the Protocol, provided that the European Community is prepared to do likewise.

This is on the understanding that the amended financial contribution laid down by Article 2 of the amended Protocol shall be paid when the two Parties notify each other that they have completed the procedures necessary to the entry into force of the Protocol and its amended Annexes.

I should be grateful if you would confirm the agreement of the European Community to such a provisional application.

Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration.

For the Government of the Republic of Seychelles

B. Letter from the European Community

Sir,

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of today’s date which reads as follows:

“Sir,

I am delighted that the Republic of Seychelles and European Community negotiators have been able to reach a consensus on amendments to the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution and its Annexes.

The negotiations held in Brussels on 20-21 March 2007 have enabled adjustments to be made to the fishing opportunities provided for in the Protocol setting out, for the period from 18 January 2005 to 17 January 2011, the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Republic of Seychelles on fishing in Seychelles fishing zones. The amendments made to this Protocol are attached hereto. The amended Protocol having been initialled by the two Parties on 21 March 2007, I would propose continuing in parallel the procedures for approval and/or ratification of the texts of the amended Protocol and its Annex and Appendices in accordance with the procedures in force in the Republic of Seychelles and in the European Community and necessary to their entry into force.

In order to avoid interrupting fishing activities by Community vessels in Seychelles waters, and referring to the Protocol amended on 21 March 2007 and setting out, for the period from 18 January 2008 to 17 January 2011, the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution, I have the honour to inform you that the Government of the Republic of Seychelles is willing to apply this amended Protocol provisionally from 18 January 2008 pending its entry into force in accordance with Article 13 of the Protocol, provided that the European Community is prepared to do likewise.

This is on the understanding that the amended financial contribution laid down by Article 2 of the amended Protocol shall be paid when the two Parties notify each other that they have completed the procedures necessary to the entry into force of the Protocol and its amended Annexes.

I should be grateful if you would confirm the agreement of the European Community to such a provisional application.

Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration.

For the Government of the Republic of Seychelles”.

I am pleased to confirm the agreement of the European Community to a provisional application.

Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration.

For the Council of the European Union

Annex to the Exchange of Letters

Amendments to the Protocol setting out, for the period from 18 January 2005 to 17 January 2011, the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Republic of Seychelles on fishing off Seychelles

Article 2 of the Protocol is replaced by the following:

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 Agreement shall be EUR 24 750 000. From 18 January 2008, the financial contribution shall be amended and shall be EUR 28 440 000 for the duration of the Protocol.

2. Paragraph 1 shall apply subject to Articles 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 of this Protocol.

3. The financial contribution referred to in paragraph 1 shall be paid by the Community at a rate of EUR 4 125 000 per year during the first three years of the Protocol. From 18 January 2008, the financial contribution referred to in paragraph 1 shall be paid by the Community at a rate of EUR 5 355 000 per year. The financial contribution applicable from 18 January 2008 shall comprise an annual amount of EUR 4 095 000 equivalent to a reference tonnage of 63 000 tonnes per year and a specific amount of EUR 1 260 000 per year for the support and implementation of Seychelles’ sectoral fisheries policy. This specific amount shall be an integral part of the single financial contribution defined in Article 7 of the Agreement.

4. If the overall quantity of catches of tuna by Community vessels in Seychelles waters exceeds 63 000 tonnes per year, the amount of the annual financial contribution shall be increased by EUR 65 for each additional tonne caught. However, the total annual amount paid by the Community shall not be more than twice the amount indicated in paragraph 3 (EUR 10 710 000). Where the quantities caught by Community vessels exceed the quantities corresponding to twice the total annual amount, the amount due for the quantity exceeding that limit shall be paid the following year.

5. Payment shall be made no later than 30 September 2005 for the first year, 30 September 2008 for the fourth year and no later than the anniversary date of the Protocol for the following years.

6. Subject to Article 7, Seychelles shall have full discretion regarding the use to which this financial contribution is put.

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

Article 7 of the Protocol is replaced by the following:

Article 7 Promotion of responsible fishing and sustainable fisheries in Seychelles waters

1. Not less than 56% of the financial contribution paid each year from 18 January 2008 and referred to in Article 2(3) shall be allocated to the drawing up and implementation of a sectoral fisheries policy in Seychelles with a view to promoting responsible and sustainable fishing in Seychelles waters. This contribution shall be managed in the light of objectives identified by mutual agreement between the two Parties, and the annual and multiannual programming to attain them.

Paragraphs 2, 3, 4 and 5: no change.

Amendments to the Annex to the Protocol

CONDITIONS FOR THE PURSUIT OF FISHING ACTIVITIES BY COMMUNITY VESSELS IN SEYCHELLES WATERS

CHAPTER I - APPLICATION FOR AND ISSUE OF LICENCES is hereby replaced as follows:

Chapter I - Application for and issue of licences

Section 1 Issue of licences

1 to 10: No change.

11. However, at the request of the European Community and where force majeure is proven, a vessel’s licence shall be replaced, for the remaining period of its validity, by a new licence for another vessel with similar characteristics to those of the first vessel, with no further fee due. However, if the gross tonnage (GT) of the replacement vessel is above that of the vessel to be replaced, the difference in fee shall be paid pro rata temporis .

12 to 14: No change.

Section 2 Licence conditions - fees and advance payments

1. Licences shall be valid for one year and are renewable.

2. From 18 January 2008 the fee shall be EUR 35 per tonne caught within Seychelles waters.

3. Licences shall be issued once the following standard amounts have been paid to the competent national authorities:

- EUR 21 000 for tuna seiners, equivalent to the fees due for 600 tonnes of tuna and tuna-like species caught within Seychelles waters per year,

- EUR 4 200 for surface longliners of more than 250 GT, equivalent to the fees due for 120 tonnes of tuna and tuna-like species caught within Seychelles waters per year,

- EUR 3 150 for surface longliners of 250 GT or less, equivalent to the fees due for 90 tonnes of tuna and tuna-like species caught within Seychelles waters per year.

4. No change.

5. No change.

6. Where the shipowners do not agree with the statement submitted by the SFA, they may consult the scientific institutes competent for verifying catch statistics such as the IRD ( Institut de Recherche pour le Développement ), the IEO ( Instituto Español de Oceanografia ) and IPIMAR ( Instituto de Investigação das Pescas e do Mar ), and thereafter discuss together with the Seychelles authorities, who shall inform the Commission thereof, to establish the final statement before 31 May of the current year. In the absence of observations by the shipowners at that date, the statement submitted by the SFA is considered as the final one.

7. No change.

8. No change.

9. No change.

CHAPTER VI – OBSERVERS is hereby replaced as follows:

Chapter VI - Observers

1. Vessels authorised to fish in Seychelles waters under the Agreement shall take on board observers appointed by the competent regional fisheries organisation, following agreement between the Parties, or failing this by the Seychelles authorities on the terms set out below.

1.1 to 14: No change.

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