Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters concerning the provisional application of the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement between the European Community and the Gabonese Republic on fishing off the coast of Gabon for the period 3 December 2001 to 2 December 2005
Date: 2001-12-13
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU Member State, EU aid, Gabon, catch quota, financial equalisation, fishing agreement

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES

Brussels, 13.12.2001
COM(2001) 758 final

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters concerning
the provisional application of the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the
financial contribution provided for by the Agreement between the European
Community and the Gabonese Republic on fishing off the coast of Gabon for the period
3 December 2001 to 2 December 2005

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

The Protocol to the Fisheries Agreement between the European Community and the Gabonese
Republic  expires  on  2  December  2001.  A  new  protocol  was  initialled  by  both  parties  on  20
September 2001 fixing the technical and financial conditions governing the fishing activities of
Community  vessels  in  Gabonese  waters  during  the  period  3  December  2001  to  2  December
2005.

The  Commission  proposes,  on  this  basis,  that  the  Council  adopt  by  decision  the  draft
Agreement  in  the  form of  an  Exchange  of  Letters  concerning  the  provisional  application  of
the new protocol pending its definitive entry into force.

A proposal for a regulation on the conclusion of the new protocol is the subject of a separate
procedure.

2

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters concerning
the provisional application of the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the
financial contribution provided for by the Agreement between the European
Community and the Gabonese Republic on fishing off the coast of Gabon for the period
3 December 2001 to 2 December 2005

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

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

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Under  the  second  paragraph  of  Article 14  of  the  Agreement  between  the  European
Community  and  the  Gabonese  Republic  on  fishing  off  the  coast  of  Gabon1,  the
Community  and  the  Gabonese  Republic  have  held  negotiations  with  a  view  to
determining amendments or additions to be made to that Agreement at the end of the
period of validity of the Protocol annexed thereto.

As a result of these negotiations, a new Protocol was initialled on 20 September 2001.

Under  this  Protocol,  Community  fishermen  enjoy  fishing  opportunities  in  the  waters
falling within the sovereignty or jurisdiction of the Gabonese Republic for the period
from 3 December 2001 to 2 December 2005.

In order to ensure uninterrupted fishing activities by Community vessels, it is essential
that the Protocol be approved as quickly as possible. For this reason, the two parties
initialled  an  Agreement  in  the  form  of  an  Exchange  of  Letters  providing  for  the
provisional application of the initialled Protocol from 3 December 2001.

(5)

The  allocation  of  the  fishing  opportunities  among  the  Member  States  should  be
defined,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

The Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters concerning the provisional application
of the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for

Article 1

1 OJ L 308, 18.11.1998, p. 4.

3

                                                
by the Agreement between the European Community and the Gabonese Republic on fishing
off  the  coast  of  Gabon  for  the  period  3  December  2001  to  2  December  2005  is  hereby
approved on behalf of the Community.

The  texts  of  the  Agreement  in  the  form  of  an  Exchange  of  Letters  and  of  the  Protocol  are
attached to this Decision.

The fishing opportunities set out in the Protocol shall be allocated among the Member States as
follows:

Article 2

- tuna seiners:

- surface longliners:

France:

Spain:

Spain:

20 vessels

18 vessels

20 vessels

Portugal:

6 vessels

- trawlers:

Spain:

Greece:

900 GRT per month, averaged over the year

300 GRT per month, averaged over the year

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

Article 3

The  Member  States  whose  vessels  fish  under  this  Protocol  shall  be  required  to  notify  the
Commission  of  the  quantities  of  each  stock  caught  in  the  Gabonese  fishing  zone  in
accordance with Commission Regulation (EC) No 500/2001 of 14 March 20012.

Article 4

The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the persons empowered to sign
the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters in order to bind the Community.

Done at Brussels,

2 OJ L 73, 15.3.2001, p. 8.

For the Council
The President

4

                                                
PROTOCOL

setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the
Agreement between the European Community and the Gabonese Republic on fishing off
the coast of Gabon for the period 3 December 2001 to 2 December 2005

For  a  period  of  four  years  from  3  December  2001,  the  fishing  opportunities  granted  under
Article 2 of the Agreement shall be as follows:

Article 1

(a)

(b)

(c)

1.

demersal  freezer  trawlers  fishing  for  crustaceans  and  cephalopods:  1 200  GRT  per
month, averaged over the year;

freezer tuna seiners:

surface longliners:

38 vessels

26 vessels.

Article 2

The financial contribution referred to in Article 7 of the Agreement shall be fixed at
EUR 1 262 500 per year, comprising EUR 378 750 financial compensation and EUR
883 750 for the measures referred to in Article 3 of this Protocol.

The financial compensation for tuna fishing shall be EUR 787 500 per year and shall
cover a catch weight in Gabonese waters of 10 500 tonnes of tuna. If the tuna caught
each  year  by  Community  vessels  in  the  Gabonese  EEZ  exceeds  this  weight,  the
amount referred to above shall be proportionately increased at the rate of EUR 75 per
additional tonne.

2.

The  annual  financial  compensation  shall  be  payable  not  later  than  30  April  2002,
2003, 2004 and 2005. The use to which it is put shall be the sole responsibility of the
Government of the Gabonese Republic.

It  shall  be  paid  into  account  No  47069  X,  "Pêche  Maritime"  (Sea  Fisheries)  in  the
name of the Public Treasury of the Gabonese Republic.

Article 3

1.

The measures set out below shall be financed from the financial contribution, to the
amount of EUR 883 750 per year, broken down as follows:

(a)

EUR 141 400  towards  scientific  and  technical  programmes  to  promote  better
understanding of the fisheries and living resources of the Gabonese EEZ;

(b) EUR 220 937 to the programme for the protection and surveillance of fishing

zones;

(c)

EUR  220 937  for  institutional  support  to  the  administrative  department
responsible for fisheries;

5

(d) EUR  70 700  for  study  grants  and  practical  training  courses  in  the  various

scientific, technical and economic fields linked to fishing;

(e)

(f)

EUR  44 188  for  the  Gabonese  Republic's  contributions  to  international
fisheries organisations;

EUR  35 350  for  the  expenses  of  Gabonese  delegates  participating  in
international meetings concerning fisheries;

(g) EUR 53 025 for vocational training for young people engaged in non-industrial

fishing and aquaculture;

(h) EUR 44 188 for technical assistance to the private non-industrial fisheries and

aquaculture sector;

(i)

EUR 53 025 to strengthen capacity for health inspection and quality control of
fishery products.

The  measures  and  the  annual  amounts  allocated  thereto  shall  be  decided  on  by  the
Gabonese  Ministry  responsible  for  fisheries,  which  shall  inform  the  Commission
thereof.

The  annual  amounts,  with  the  exception  of  that  referred  to  at  (d),  shall  be  made
available  to  the Public  Treasury  no later  than  30  April  2002,  2003,  2004  and  2005
and  paid  into  account  No  47069  X,  "Pêche  Maritime"  according  to  the  annual
schedule for their use. The amounts referred to at (d) shall be paid as they are used.

The  Gabonese  Ministry  responsible  for  fisheries  shall  transmit  a  detailed  annual
report  on  the  implementation  of  these  measures  and  the  results  achieved  to  the
Delegation  of  the  European  Commission  in  the  Gabonese  Republic,  no  later  than
three months after the anniversary date of the Protocol. The European Commission
reserves  the  right  to  request  additional  information  on  these  results  from  the
Gabonese Ministry responsible for fisheries and to review the payments concerned in
the light of the actual implementation of the measures.

2.

3.

4.

Should the European Community fail to make the payments provided for in Articles 2 and 3,
the application of this Protocol may be suspended.

Article 4

Article 5

1.

2.

Should a fundamental change in circumstances prevent fishing in Gabon's exclusive
economic  zone,  the  European  Community  may  suspend  payment  of  the  financial
contribution following prior consultation, if possible, between the two parties.

Payment of the financial contribution shall recommence once the situation returns to
normal  and  following  consultation  between  the  two  parties  confirming  that  the
situation is likely to allow a return to normal fishing activities.

6

Article 6

This  Protocol  and  the  Annex  thereto  shall  enter  into  force  on  the  date  on  which  the  parties
notify each other of the completion of the procedures necessary for this purpose.

It shall apply from 3 December 2001.

7

ANNEX

CONDITIONS GOVERNING FISHING ACTIVITIES BY EUROPEAN
COMMUNITY VESSELS IN GABON'S FISHING ZONE

1.

Licence applications and issuing formalities

The  procedure  for  applications  for,  and  the  issue  of,  licences  authorising  European
Community vessels to fish in Gabon's exclusive economic zone shall be as follows.

The  relevant  European  Community  authorities  shall  present  to  the  Gabonese  Ministry
responsible  for  fisheries,  via  the  Delegation  of  the  European  Commission  in  the  Gabonese
Republic, an application for each vessel wishing to fish under the Agreement, at least 15 days
before the beginning of the requested term of validity.

Applications shall be made on the form provided for that purpose by the Gabonese Ministry
responsible for fisheries, in accordance with the specimen given in Appendix 1.

Licences  shall  be  signed  and  issued  by  the  Gabonese  Ministry  responsible  for  fisheries  to
shipowners  or  their  representatives,  via  the  Delegation  of  the  European  Commission  in  the
Gabonese  Republic,  within  15  working  days  of  application.  Representatives  of  shipowners
shall be natural or legal persons chosen by the shipowners.

Licences  shall  be  issued  for  specific  vessels  and  shall  not  be  transferable.  However,  at  the
request  of  the  European  Commission,  a  vessel's  licence  shall,  in  cases  of  force  majeure,  be
replaced by a new licence for another vessel with identical characteristics. The owner of the
vessel being replaced shall return the cancelled licence to the Gabonese Ministry responsible
for fisheries via the Delegation of the European Commission.

The new licence shall indicate:

–  the date of issue,

–  the fact that it cancels and replaces the licence of the previous vessel.

In such cases, no new advance shall be due.

Licences must be held on board at all times. However, on receipt of notification of payment of
the  advance  sent  by  the  European  Commission  to  the  Gabonese  Ministry  responsible  for
fisheries, vessels shall be entered on a list of vessels authorised to fish, which shall be sent to
the  Gabonese  authorities  responsible  for  fisheries  inspection.  Pending  receipt  of  the  licence
document, a fax copy may be obtained and shall be kept on board, which will authorise the
vessel to fish pending receipt of the licence document.

2.

1.

2.

Provisions applicable to tuna seiners and surface longliners

Licences shall be valid for one year. They shall be renewable.

The  fee  shall  be  EUR  25  per  tonne  caught  within  Gabon's  fishing  zones.  It  shall
include all local and national taxes with the exception of port taxes and charges for
the provision of services.

8

3.

4.

The Gabonese Ministry responsible for fisheries shall communicate the arrangements
for paying licence fees, in particular the details of the bank account and the currency
to be used.

Licences shall be issued following payment of an advance of EUR 2 600 a  year for
each tuna seiner and EUR 1 100 a year for each surface longliner, equivalent to the
fees payable for a catch of:

–  104 tonnes per year in the case of tuna seiners,

–  44 tonnes per year in the case of surface longliners.

3.

Statement of catch and Statement of fees due from owners of tuna vessels

The captain shall complete a fishing form corresponding to the ICCAT specimen in Appendix
2 for each period spent fishing in Gabon's EEZ. Details shall be entered even where there is
no catch.

The form, which must be legible and signed by the captain of the vessel, shall be sent within
45 days of the end of fishing activities in Gabon's EEZ to the Gabonese Ministry responsible
for fisheries, via the Delegation of the European Commission in the Gabonese Republic, and
as  soon  as  possible,  for  processing,  to  the  Institut  de  Recherche  pour  le  Développement
(IRD), the Spanish Oceanographic Institute (IEO) or the  Instituto Português de  Investigação
Marítima (IPIMAR).

If  these  provisions  are  not  complied  with,  the  Gabonese  Ministry  responsible  for  fisheries
reserves the right to suspend  the licence  of the  offending  vessel  until  these  formalities  have
been carried out and to apply the penalties provided for under national law. In such cases, the
Delegation of the European Commission in the Gabonese Republic shall be informed without
delay.

Member  States  shall  inform  the  European  Commission  before  15  April  each  year  of  the
tonnages caught during the past year, as confirmed by the scientific institutes. On the basis of
those figures the Commission shall draw up the statement of fees due in respect of the fishing
year, which it shall then send to the Gabonese Ministry responsible for fisheries.

Shipowners  shall  receive  notification  of  the  statement  drawn  up  by  the  Commission  by  the
end of April at the latest, and shall have 30 days in which to meet their financial obligations.
In  cases  where  the  amount  payable  in  respect  of  actual  fishing  operations  is  less  than  the
advance payment, shipowners cannot recover the balance.

4.

(a)

Rules on dermersal freezer trawlers

Licences issued to freezer trawlers shall be valid for three, six  or  12  months.  They
shall be renewable.

(b)

The annual fee shall be EUR 168 per GRT per vessel.

Fees for licences for periods of less than one year shall be paid on a pro rata basis according
to the length of time. Six-month and three-month licences shall be subject to a surcharge of
3% and 5% respectively.

5.

Statements of catch by trawler owners

9

Trawlers  authorised  to  fish  in  Gabon's  EEZ  under  the  Agreement  shall  notify  their  catch
statistics to the Ministry responsible for fisheries through the Delegation of the Commission
of the European Communities in the Gabonese Republic using the form given in Appendix 3.
These statements shall be monthly and must be communicated at least once every quarter.

6.

Inspection and monitoring

Community  vessels  fishing  in  Gabon's  EEZ  shall  allow  on  board  any  Gabonese  officials
responsible  for  inspection  and  monitoring  of  fishing  activities  and  shall  assist  them  in  the
accomplishment  of their  duties.  These officials should not remain on  board  any longer  than
the time required to verify catches by sampling and carry out any other inspections relating to
fishing activities.

7.

Observers

At  the  request  of  the  Gabonese  authorities,  tuna  boats  and  surface  longliners  fishing  in
Gabon's  EEZ  shall  take  an  observer  on  board  who  shall  be  treated  as  an  officer.  The  time
spent on board by observers shall be fixed by the Gabonese authorities but, as a general rule,
it  should  not  exceed  the  time  required  to  carry  out  their  duties.  Once  on  board,  observers
shall:

–  observe the fishing activities of the vessels,

–  verify the position of vessels engaged in fishing operations,

–  perform biological sampling in the context of scientific programmes,

–  note the fishing gear used,

–  verify the catch data for Gabon's zone recorded in the logbook.

While on board, observers shall:

–  take  all  appropriate  steps  to  ensure  that  the  conditions  under  which  they  are
taken on board and their presence on board do not interrupt or hamper fishing
activities,

–  respect  the  material  and  equipment  on  board  and  the  confidentiality  of  all

documents belonging to the vessel,

–  draw up an activity report to be transmitted to the competent authorities of the
Gabonese  Republic  and  send  a  copy  to  the  Delegation  of  the  European
Commission in the Gabonese Republic.

The  terms  on  which  observers  are  taken  on  board  are  to  be  agreed  between  shipowners  or
their representatives and the Gabonese authorities.

Shipowners  who  are  unable  to  take  observers  aboard  and  put  them  off  at  a  Gabonese  port
agreed  by  common  accord  with  the  Gabonese  authorities  shall  bear  the  cost  of  taking  the
observers aboard and putting them ashore.

10

If  an  observer  is  not  present  at  the  time  and  place  agreed  and  during  the  twelve  hours
following the time agreed, shipowners shall be  automatically  absolved of their obligation to
take the observer on board.

The salary and social contributions of observers shall be borne by the competent authorities of
the Gabonese Republic. Captains shall do everything in their power to ensure the physical and
moral safety of observers carrying out their duties.

8.

Fishing zones

The  tuna  vessels  referred  to  in  Article  1  of  the  Protocol  shall  be  authorised  to  engage  in
fishing activities in the waters beyond 12 nautical miles from the base lines.

The  trawlers  referred  to  in  Article  1  of  the  Protocol  shall  be  authorised  to  fish  in  waters
beyond six nautical miles from the base lines in accordance with Gabonese law.

9.

Mesh sizes

The minimum mesh size authorised (mesh fully extended) shall be:

(a)

40 mm for freezer trawlers taking crustaceans;

(b)

60 mm for freezer trawlers taking cephalopods.

10.

Entering and leaving the zone

Vessels shall notify the Gabonese Ministry responsible for fisheries of their intention to enter
or leave Gabon's EEZ at least 24 hours in advance. When notifying their departure, all vessels
shall also notify the estimated catches taken during the time they have spent in Gabon's EEZ.
This information should preferably be communicated by fax (+241-76 46 02) or, for vessels
not  equipped  with  a  fax,  by  radio  (call  sign  DGPA-6241  MH2)  or  electronic  mail
(DGPA@internetgabon.com).

Any  vessel  found  fishing  without  having  informed  the  Gabonese  Ministry  responsible  for
fisheries shall be regarded as a vessel without a licence.

The Gabonese Ministry responsible for fisheries and the shipowners shall keep a copy of fax
communications or a recording of radio communications until both parties have agreed to the
final statement of fees due referred to in point 2.

11.

Zones closed to shipping

The zones adjacent to oil extraction activities shall be closed to all shipping.

The Gabonese Ministry responsible for fisheries shall notify the coordinates of these zones to
shipowners when the fishing licence is issued.

The zones closed to shipping shall also be notified for information purposes to the Delegation
of the European Commission in the Gabonese Republic, as shall all changes to these zones,
which must be announced at least two months before enforcement.

12.

Biological recovery

11

6-12 mile zone: trawlers engaged in inshore fishing for shrimp shall be required to respect the
two-month biological recovery period in January and February in accordance with Gabonese
law.

12-200 mile zone: no biological recovery period.

13.

Use of services

European Community vessels shall, wherever possible, transship and procure the supplies and
services they require in Gabonese ports.

14.

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Procedure in case of boarding

The  Delegation  of  the  European  Commission  in  the  Gabonese  Republic  shall  be
informed within two working days of the boarding of any Community fishing vessel
fishing  under  a  fisheries  agreement  concluded  between  the  European  Community
and a third country in the exclusive economic zone of the Gabonese Republic. At the
same time, it shall be given a brief report of the circumstances and reasons leading to
such boarding.

Before  any  measures  regarding  the  master  or  the  crew  of  the  vessel  or  any  action
regarding the cargo and equipment of the vessel are considered, other than those to
safeguard  evidence  relating  to  the  presumed  infringement,  a  consultation  meeting
shall  be  held,  within  one  working  day  from  the  receipt  of  the  above  information,
between the Delegation of the European Commission in the Gabonese Republic, the
Ministry responsible for fisheries and the inspection authorities, possibly attended by
a  representative  of  the  Member  State  concerned.  At  the  meeting,  the  parties  shall
exchange  any  relevant  documentation  or  information  helping  to  clarify  the
circumstances  of 
the  shipowner's
the  facts  established.  The  shipowner  or 
representative shall be informed of the outcome of the meeting and of any measures
resulting from the boarding.

Before  any  judicial  procedure,  an  attempt  shall  be  made  to  resolve  the  presumed
infringement through a compromise procedure. This procedure shall be completed no
later than three working days after the boarding.

Should  the  case  not  be  settled  by  compromise,  and  the  master  is  therefore  brought
before a competent Gabonese judicial body, a reasonable bank security shall be fixed
by the competent authority within two working days, following the conclusion of the
compromise  procedure,  pending  the  judicial  decision.  The  bank  security  shall  be
released  by  the  Ministry  responsible  for  fisheries  once  the  master  of  the  vessel
concerned has been acquitted by the judicial decision.

(5)

The vessel and crew are to be released:

–  when the consultation meeting is closed if the outcome so permits,

–  on receipt of payment of a fine (compromise procedure), or

–  once a bank security is deposited (judicial proceedings).

12

(6)

Should one of the Parties consider that there is a problem in the application of the
abovementioned procedure, it may request urgent consultations under Article 9 of the
Agreement.

13

Appendix 1

MINISTRY FOR FISHERIES

APPLICATION FOR A LICENCE FOR FOREIGN INDUSTRIAL FISHING VESSELS:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

Name of shipowner: .....................................................................................................

Address of shipowner:..................................................................................................

Name of shipowner's representative or agent: .............................................................

Address of shipowner's representative or local agent: .................................................

Captain: ........................................................................................................................

Name of vessel: ............................................................................................................

Registration No: ...........................................................................................................

Date and place of construction:....................................................................................

Flag country: ................................................................................................................

Port of registration:.......................................................................................................

Port of fitting out:.........................................................................................................

Length overall: .............................................................................................................

13. Width:...........................................................................................................................

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

Gross registered tonnage: .............................................................................................

Net tonnage: .................................................................................................................

Hold capacity: ..............................................................................................................

Cold storage and freezing capacity: .............................................................................

Engine type and horse power: ......................................................................................

Fishing gear:.................................................................................................................

Number of crew:...........................................................................................................

Communications equipment: .......................................................................................

Call sign: ......................................................................................................................

Recognition signals: .....................................................................................................

Fishing operations to be carried out: ............................................................................

Port of unloading:.........................................................................................................

Fishing zones:...............................................................................................................

Species to be caught: ....................................................................................................

Period of validity:.........................................................................................................

Special conditions: .......................................................................................................

Opinion of the Directorate-General for Fisheries: ...................................................................

Comments of the Ministry for Fisheries, Agriculture and Rural Affairs:................................

14

Appendix 2ICCAT LOGBOOK FOR TUNA FISHERY

Vessel name:……………………………………………………………………

Flag Country:
……………………………………………………………………...........................

Gross Tons:
………………………………………………….............................
Capacity - (MT): ……………………………………………..

Boat LEFT:

Month Day

Year

Port

Registration No: ……………………………………………………………….

Captain: ………………………………………………………..

Owner: …………………………………………………………

Address: ………………………………………………………………………….

No of Crew:
….…………………………………………………........................
Reporting Date: ……………………………………………….

Boat RETURNED

(Reported by):
……………………………………………….................................

No of days at sea:

No of fishing days

No of sets made:

Trip No:

Longline

Live bait

Purse seine

Trawling

Others

Date

Area

Month

Day

S
/
N
e
d
u
t
i
t
a
L

/

W
E
e
d
u
t
i
g
n
o
L

Surf.
Water
Temp.
(ºC)

Effort

Bluefin Tuna

No of hooks
used

Thunnus
Thynnus or
maccoyii

Yellowfin Tuna

(Bigeye Tuna)

(Albacore)

(Swordfish)

Thunnus
albacares

Thunnus
obesus

Thunnus
alalunga

Xiphias
gladius

Catches

(Striped marlin)
(White Marlin)

Tetraptunus
audax or albidus

(Black Marlin)

(Sailfish)

Skipjack

Makaira
indica

Istiophorus albicane
or platypterus

Katsuwonus
pelamis

(Mixed catches)

No Weigh

No

kg

No

kg

No

kg

No

kg

No

kg

No

kg

No

kg

No

kg

No

kg

t
kg

Isco usado na pesca
(Bait used)

y
r
u
a
S

d
i
u
q
S

t
i
a
b

e
v
i
L

(Others)

Daily Total

(weight in kg
only)

No

kg

LANDING WEIGHT (IN KG)
Remarks

1 - Use one sheet per month, and one line per day.

3 - "Day" refers to the day you set the line

2 - At the end of each trip forward a copy of the log to your correspondent
or to ICCAT, Calle Corazón de Maria 8, Madrid 28002. Spain

4 - Fishing area refers to the position of the  boat. Round off  minutes and  record
degree of latitude and longitude. Be sure to record N/S and E/W.

5  -  The  bottom  line  -landing  weight-  should  be  completed  only  at  the  end  of  each  trip.
Actual weight at the time of unloading should be recorded

6 - All information reported herein will be kept strictly confidential

15

 
 
 
Appendix 3

MINISTRY FOR WATER AND FORESTS, FISHERIES,
REAFFORESTATION,  THE  ENVIRONMENT  AND
NATURE PROTECTION

GABONESE REPUBLIC
Union-Work-Justice
******

************

DIRECTORATE-GENERAL  FOR  FISHERIES  AND
AQUACULTURE

************

DIRECTORATE FOR INDUSTRIAL FISHERIES

***********
INDUSTRIAL FISHERIES DEPARTMENT
***********
(cid:1) : 76 26-30 - FAX. 76-46-02
e-mail : dgpa@internetgabon.
B.P :9498 Libreville(GABON)
*************

STATEMENT OF CATCH FORM

OWNER:_____________________VESSEL:_______________________________

CAPTAIN:_______________________MONTH:______________________________

ENTRY DATE: _____________________LEAVING DATE:______________________

DATE ON WHICH DATA WAS COLLECTED: ________________________________

FISHING ZONE: ___________LONGITUDE___________LATITUDE_______________

COMMON NAME

SCIENTIFIC NAME

WEIGHT/
KG

COMMENTS

OTHER TUNA

FRIGATE TUNA
SEA BASS
ROYAL THREADFIN
BARRACUDA
ATLANTIC BONITO
BOBO CROAKER
HOGFISH
BLUE RUNNER
HORSE MACKEREL
CONGER EEL
CROAKER
SEA BREAM
BLACK SEA BREAM
RUBBERLIP GRUNT
SICKLEFISH

FISH

Thunnus sp

Auxis thazard
Pseudotolithus senegalensis
Pentanemus quiaquarius
Sphyraena guachancho
Sarda sarda
Pseudotolithus elongatus
Galoides decadactylus
Caranx crysos
Trachurus trecae

Miracorvina/Pentheroscion
Pomadasys rogeri
Pomadasys jubelini
Plectorhinchus mediter.
Drepane africana

16

Xiphias gladius
Gerres nigri
Pomadasys incisus
Katsuwonus pelamis
Arius heudeloti
Selene dorsalis
Epinephelus sp
Cephalopholis taeniops
Pagellus bellotti
Pagrus sp
Trachinotus ovatus
Raja sp
Mustelus spp
Lutjanus agenes
Lutjanus fulgens

SWORDFISH
STRIPED MOJARRA
BASTARD GRUNT
SKIPJACK TUNA
CATFISH
AFRICAN MOONFISH
GROUPER
AFRICAN HIND
RED PANDORA
SEA BREAM
DERBIO
SKATE
SHARK
AFRICAN RED SNAPPER
GOLDEN 
SNAPPER
WEST AFRICAN GOATFISH Pseudupeneus prayensis
ZEBRA SEABREAM
WHITE SEABREAM
SOLE
TONGUESOLE
WEST-AFRICAN  SPANISH
MACKEREL
YELLOWFIN TUNA
LITTLE TUNA
TURBOT
BROWN SNAPPER
GOREAN SNAPPER
SAILFISH

Thunnus albacores
Euthynnus alletteratus
Psettodes belcheri
Lutjanus dentatus
Lutjanus goreensis
Istiophorus albicans

Diplodus cervinus cervinus
Diplodus sargus
Synaptura cadenati
Cynoglossus senegalensis
Scomberomorus tritor

AFRICAN

CRAB
SHRIMP
SHRIMP No 1
SHRIMP No 2
SHRIMP No 3
SHRIMP No 4
SHRIMP No 5
SHRIMP No 6
SHRIMP No 7
COMMON PRAWN
CRAWFISH

SQUID

OCTOPUS
CUTTLEFISH

TURTLE

OTHER SPECIES

CRUSTACEANS

Callinectes spp.

Palinurus spp

MOLLUSCS

Loligo vulgaris

Octopus vulgaris
Sepia officinalis

REPTILES

17

TOTAL

18

AGREEMENT

in the form of an Exchange of Letters concerning the provisional application of the
Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for
by the Agreement between the European Community and the Gabonese Republic on
fishing off the coast of Gabon for the period 3 December 2001 to 2 December 2005

A. Letter from the Government of the Gabonese Republic

Sir,

With reference  to  the  Protocol  initialled  on  20  September  2001  at  Libreville  setting  out  the
fishing  opportunities  and  financial  contribution  for  the  period  3  December  2001  to  2
December  2005,  I  have  the  honour  to  inform  you  that  the  Government  of  the  Gabonese
Republic is prepared to apply the Protocol on a provisional basis with effect from 3 December
2001,  pending  its  entry  into  force  in  accordance  with  Article  7  thereof,  provided  that  the
European Community is disposed to do the same.

This is on the understanding that the first instalment of the financial compensation specified
in Article 2 of the Protocol is paid by 30 April 2002.

I  should  be  obliged  if  you  would  confirm  the  European  Community's  agreement  to  such
provisional application.

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

For the Government of the Gabonese Republic

19

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:

"With reference to the Protocol initialled on 20 September 2001 at Libreville setting out the
fishing  opportunities  and  financial  contribution  for  the  period  3  December  2001  to  2
December  2005,  I  have  the  honour  to  inform  you  that  the  Government  of  the  Gabonese
Republic is prepared to apply the Protocol on a provisional basis with effect from 3 December
2001,  pending  its  entry  into  force  in  accordance  with  Article  7  thereof,  provided  that  the
European Community is disposed to do the same.

This is on the understanding that the first instalment of the financial compensation specified
in Article 2 of the Protocol is paid by 30 April 2002.

I  should  be  obliged  if  you  would  confirm  the  European  Community's  agreement  to  such
provisional application."

I have the honour to confirm the Community's agreement to  such  provisional  application  of
the Protocol.

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

On behalf of the Council of the European Union

20