Protocol setting out, for the period from 3 August 2002 to 2 August 2004, the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Government of the Republic of Angola on fishing off Angola
Date: 2002-12-28
Institutions: Angola, European Community
Subjects: Angola, financial compensation of an agreement, fishing agreement, fishing area, fishing controls, fishing licence, sea fishing













EUR-Lex - 22002A1228(04) - EN






Avis juridique important




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22002A1228(04)

Protocol setting out, for the period from 3 August 2002 to 2 August 2004, the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Government of the Republic of Angola on fishing off Angola  


Official Journal L 351 , 28/12/2002 P. 0092 - 0111 





PROTOCOLsetting out, for the period from 3 August 2002 to 2 August 2004, the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Government of the Republic of Angola on fishing off AngolaArticle 1From 3 August 2002, for a period of two years, the limits referred to in Article 2 of the Agreement shall be as follows:1.>TABLE>Catches by Community vessels may not exceed 5000 tonnes of shrimps and prawns, including 30 % of prawns and 70 % of shrimps.2. Demersal vessels: (trawlers, bottom longliners and fixed gillnets): 4200 GRT per month, as an annual average.Fishing for Centrophorus granulosus is prohibited.3. Fishing for pelagic species: two vesselsThis type of fishing shall, because of its nature, be subject to a trial period of six months.4. Freezer tuna seiners: 15 vessels5. Surface longliners: 18 vessels.These limits on fishing opportunities may be raised if Community shipowners are prepared to contribute to the improvement of Angola's fisheries industry, in which case the two parties, meeting as a Joint Committee, will decide jointly on the additional fishing opportunities and the financial compensation.Article 2After the trial period of fishing for pelagic species and on the basis of the results achieved and the scientific opinions available, the two parties will, within the framework of the Joint Committee and following a meeting of the Joint Scientific Group referred to in Article 6, decide on the fishing opportunities for pelagic species for the remaining years of this Protocol and the financial compensation payable in return for those opportunities.Article 31. The financial compensation provided for in Article 7 of the Agreement for the period referred to in Article 1 of this Protocol is hereby set at EUR 15500000 per year (EUR 9975000 per year of financial compensation proper and EUR 5525000 for the measures referred to in Article 3 of the Protocol) in return for the fishing opportunities set out in Article 1.The financial compensation shall be paid into an account designated by the Ministry of Finance via the Fisheries and Environment Ministry.The financial compensation shall be paid not later than 30 November of the first year of the Protocol and not later than the anniversary date of the Protocol the following year.2. If vessels withdraw from the Agreement and the Angolan authorities do not agree to their replacement by other vessels, the resulting reduction in fishing opportunities for the Community shall entail a proportional adjustment of the financial compensation provided for in paragraph 1.3. Angola shall have full discretion regarding the use to which the financial compensation is put.Article 4With a view to ensuring the development of sustainable and responsible fishing the two parties will, in their mutual interest, set up a partnership for the purpose in particular of encouraging: better knowledge of fishery and biological resources; quality control; marketing and obtaining the best return from fishery products; fisheries control; the development of non-industrial fishing; fishing communities; and training.The breakdown of the EUR 5525000 earmarked for the measures provided for in Article 3(1) each year shall be as follows:1. Scientific and technical programmes intended to improve knowledge of fishery and biological resources in Angola's fishing zone: EUR 750000;2. Quality control programme: EUR 350000;3. Support programme for marketing and obtaining the best return from fisheries products: EUR 250000;4. Support programme for fisheries surveillance: EUR 775000;5. Programme for the development of non-industrial fishing and the support of fishing communities: EUR 1150000;6. Programme of institutional support for the Fisheries and Environment Ministry: EUR 500000;7. Programme to finance fisheries schools, study grants, practical training in the various scientific, technical and economic disciplines related to fisheries and participation in international organisations, seminars, symposia and workshops: EUR 1500000;8. Programme to encourage the development of aquaculture: EUR 250000.The Fisheries and Environment Ministry shall decide on the measures and the annual amounts allocated thereto and shall keep the Commission of the European Communities informed.The annual amounts shall be made available to the bodies concerned in an account designated by the Ministry of Finance via the Fisheries and Environment Ministry, not later than 30 November for the first year and, thereafter, on the anniversary date of the Protocol.The Fisheries and Environment Ministry shall, three months after the anniversary date of the Protocol, provide the Commission of the European Communities with written information on the implementation of the Protocol and the results achieved. The European Community may, in the light of the actual implementation of the measures and after consulting the Angolan authorities, review the payments concerned.Article 5In the event of a significant change in the conditions of exploitation of fisheries resources in Angola's EEZ which prevents the exercise of fishing activities, the payment of the financial contribution by the European Community may be interrupted subject to the prior agreement of both parties.Article 6A joint scientific meeting shall be held annually to look into questions relating to the sustainable management of fishery resources.Article 7The implementation of the Agreement may be suspended if the Community fails to make the payments provided for in Articles 2, 3 and 4 within the time limits laid down.Article 8All activities of vessels operating under this Protocol and the Annexes thereto, in particular transhipment and the consumption of ship's supplies (food and fuel), shall be governed by the laws applicable in the Republic of Angola.Fishery products caught by Community vessels operating under the terms of the Agreement shall, for the purposes of this Protocol, be regarded as being of Community origin.Article 9This Protocol shall enter into force after both parties have given notification of the conclusion of their respective approval procedures.ANNEX ACONDITIONS GOVERNING THE FISHING ACTIVITIES OF COMMUNITY VESSELS IN ANGOLAN WATERS1. Applications for licences and formalities for their issuance1.1. The Commission of the European Communities shall, via its Delegation in Angola, present to Angola's fisheries authorities one application per vessel for each shipowner wishing to fish under the terms of this Agreement. It shall do so at least 15 days before the date of commencement of the period of validity requested. Applications shall be made on forms provided for the purpose by Angola, specimens of which are set out in Appendix 1 and Appendix 2. On first application the form shall be accompanied by a tonnage certificate for the vessel concerned. Each application shall be accompanied by proof of payment of the fee covering the period of validity of the licence.1.2. For the purposes of this Protocol fishery products caught by Community vessels fishing under the terms of this Agreement shall be regarded as being of Community origin.1.3. Each licence shall be issued to a shipowner for a specific vessel. In proven cases of force majeure, the licence for a vessel shall, at the request of the Commission of the European Communities, be replaced by another licence, for a Community vessel of a similar type.1.4. Licences shall be issued by the Angolan authorities to the skipper of the vessel, at the port of Luanda, after the vessel has been inspected by the competent authority.1.5. The Delegation of the Commission of the European Communities in Angola shall be notified of the licences issued by Angola's fisheries authorities.1.6. The licence must be kept on board at all times. However, in the case of tuna vessels and surface longliners, the vessel shall be entered on the list of authorised fishing vessels as soon as notification is received that the European Commission has paid the advance to the Angolan authorities and the list shall be communicated to the Angolan authorities responsible for fisheries surveillance. Pending receipt of the actual licence, a copy may be obtained by fax which must be kept on board.1.7. Licences shall be valid for one year.1.8. Each vessel shall be represented by an agent who is officially resident in Angola and is approved by the Fisheries and Environment Ministry.1.9. The Angolan authorities shall, as soon as possible, communicate details of the bank accounts and currencies to be used for payments under this Agreement.2. Fees2.1. Provisions applicable to shrimp vessels and demersal fishing vesselsThe licence fee shall be:- EUR 52/month per GRT for shrimp vessels,- EUR 220/year per GRT for demersal vessels.2.2. The fees may be paid quarterly or half-yearly, in which case the amount shall be increased by 5 % and 3 % respectively.2.3. Provisions applicable to tuna vessels and surface longlinersThe licence fee shall be EUR 25 per tonne caught within Angola's fishing zone.Licences shall be issued once Angola has been paid a flat-rate advance of EUR 4500 a year, equivalent to the fee for a catch of 180 tonnes per year, for each freezer tuna seiner and EUR 2500 a year, equivalent to the fee for a catch of 100 tonnes per year, for each surface longliner.The final statement of the fees due for the fishing year shall be drawn up by the Commission of the European Communities, at the end of the first quarter of the year following that of the catches on the basis of the catches reported for each vessel and confirmed by a specialised scientific body in the region, in particular the IRD (Institut de Recherche pour le Développement), the IEO (Instituto Español de Oceanografía) and IPIMAR (Instituto Português de Investigação Marítima).This statement shall simultaneously be communicated to the Angolan authorities and the shipowners. Additional payments, if any, by the shipowners shall be made within 30 days of notification of the final statement, into an account opened with a financial institution or to any other body specified by the Angolan authorities.However, if the amount of the final statement is less than the advance referred to above, shipowners shall not be reimbursed the balance.3. Biological rest periodShrimp fishing may each year be the subject of a biological rest period in the light of the findings of current scientific surveys. Such periods shall be notified not less than three months in advance to the Commission and the shipowners. Shipowners shall not be required to pay a licence fee during a biological rest period.4. By-catchesBy-catches by shrimp vessels shall remain the property of the shipowners. Altogether, shrimp vessels may catch up to 500 tonnes of crab per year.5. LandingsCommunity surface longliners and tuna boats shall endeavour to supply Angolan tuna canneries, in accordance with their fishing effort in the zone and at a price agreed jointly between the shipowners and the Angolan fisheries authorities on the basis of current world market prices. Payment shall be made in convertible currency.6. Control of transhipments and departing vesselsTranshipments shall be notified eight days in advance to the Angolan fisheries authorities and shall take place, either in the Bay of Luanda or in the Bay of Lobito, in the presence of the Angolan customs authorities.Transhipment operations shall be subject to stamp duty and service taxes, all payments concerned being made to the customs authorities in accordance with the legislation in force.A copy of the documentation relating to transhipments shall, 15 days before the end of each month for the preceding month, be transmitted to the Surveillance Directorate of the Fisheries and Environment Ministry.Any Community fishing vessel wishing to leave Angola's EEZ with its catch or catches must give eight days' notice and submit to a customs check in the Bay of Luanda or the Bay of Lobito.7. Food supplies (ship's supplies)7.1. European Community fishing vessels taking on supplies of food in Angola shall do so in accordance with the legislation in force, using only specialist ship's chandlers registered with the Ministry of Trade and established in Angola.7.2. If some or all of the food supplies come from outside Angola a list of the products must be sent to the Customs authorities in respect of each vessel, stating the number of crew members on board, in order to determine whether the quantities concerned are reasonable in relation to on-board consumption requirements. Export duty and other taxes shall be payable on any quantity in excess of what is regarded as reasonable.7.3. Work relating to the provision of ship's supplies shall be subject to stamp duty and to service taxes.8. Fuel supplies (ship's supplies)8.1. With the exception of tuna vessels, all vessels operating in Angola's fishing zone under the terms of this Agreement will be provided with facilities for obtaining supplies of fuel and water in Angola.8.2. In Angola, fuel may be taken on in Luanda or Lobito only.Any transhipment of fuel supplies from a tanker or merchant vessel in Lobito or Luanda must take place in the presence of the customs authorities and shall be subject to stamp duty and service taxes.8.3. Where a fishing vessel obtains supplies outside territorial waters and the 24-mile area, the customs authorities shall be notified, stating the quantities concerned, the location of the vessel and the name of the supplier.9. Reporting catches9.1. Shrimp vessels and demersal vessels9.1.1. Shrimp vessels and demersal vessels shall, at the end of each fishing campaign, transmit the catch reports set out in Appendices 3 and 4 to the Instituto de Investigação Marinha (Marine Research Institute) via the Delegation of the European Communities.Moreover, each vessel shall, via the Delegation of the European Community, present to the Planning, Studies and Statistics Office of the Fisheries and Environment Ministry a monthly report listing the catches made during the month and quantities on board on the last day of the month. This report shall be presented no later than the 45th day following the end of the month concerned.In the event of failure to comply with this provision, Angola reserves the right to apply the penalties provided for in its legislation.9.1.2. In addition, shrimp vessels and demersal vessels shall report daily their geographical position and the previous day's catches to Luanda radio station. The call sign will be notified to the owner when the fishing licence is issued. Vessels must, if they are unable to contact the abovementioned radio station, use alternative means of communication.No fishing or merchant vessel may leave the territorial waters of the Republic of Angola without the prior authorisation of the Direcção Nacional de Fiscalização (National Directorate for Surveillance) of the Fisheries and Environment Ministry and without the catches on board being checked.9.2. Tuna vessels and surface longlinersEvery three days during fishing operations in Angola's fishing zone, vessels shall inform Luanda radio station of their position and their catches. On entering and leaving Angola's fishing zone, the vessels shall inform Luanda radio station of their position and the volume of the catches on board.Vessels shall, if they are unable to contact the abovementioned radio station, use alternative means of communication.Vessels shall keep a fishing logbook in accordance with the model in Appendix 5 for each fishing period spent in Angola's fishing zone. Fishing logbooks must be filled in even where no catch has been taken.For periods spent outside Angolan waters, "Outside Angola's EEZ" must be entered in the fishing logbook.The form must be completed legibly, must be signed by the skipper of the vessel and must be sent to the National Inspection and Surveillance Directorate of the Fisheries and Environment Ministry via the Delegation of the Commission of the European Communities within 45 days of the end of the fishing campaign in Angolan waters; it must also be sent as soon as possible for processing to the scientific institutes referred to at 2.2.In the event of failure to comply with this provision Angola reserves the right to suspend the licence of the vessel concerned until the necessary formalities have been complied with and to apply the penalties applicable under Angolan legislation. The Delegation of the Commission of the European Communities in Angola will in such cases be informed at once.10. Fishing zones10.1. The fishing zones accessible to shrimp vessels shall comprise all waters under the sovereignty or jurisdiction of the Republic of Angola north of 12° 20' prime and beyond the first 12 nautical miles measured from the base lines.10.2. The fishing zones accessible to vessels engaged in demersal fishing shall comprise all waters under the sovereignty or jurisdiction of the Republic of Angola:- trawlers: beyond the first 12 nautical miles measured from the base lines and restricted northwards by 13° 00' prime South, and southwards by a line five miles north of the limit between the EEZs (exclusive economic zones) of Angola and Namibia,- vessels using other types of gear: beyond the first 12 nautical miles, measured from the base lines and restricted southwards by a line five miles north of the limit between the EEZs of Angola and Namibia.The fishing zones accessible to freezer tuna seiners and surface longliners shall comprise all waters under the sovereignty or jurisdiction of the Republic of Angola beyond the first 12 nautical miles measured from the base lines.11. Hiring of crew members11.1. Owners of fishing vessels other than freezer tuna seiners and surface longliners to whom fishing licences have been issued under the terms of this Agreement shall contribute to the on-the-job vocational training of at least six Angolan seamen on board each vessel, who shall be freely chosen from a list drawn up by the Fisheries and Environment Ministry.11.2. Should an observer be taken on board at Angola's request, he shall be regarded as one of the six seamen referred to at 11.1.11.3. Community shipowners shall endeavour to increase the number of seamen and improve their vocational skills.11.4. The wages of the seamen and technicians on board shall be borne by the shipowners in accordance with terms mutually agreed by the contracting parties and shall be paid into an account opened with a financial institution designated by the Fisheries and Environment Ministry. This pay shall include life insurance against all risks.11.5. In addition, a total of 20 trainee seamen will each year be selected for the engine room and deck by the Fisheries and Environment Ministry and be distributed among the abovementioned vessels. The trainees' wages, which shall be borne by the shipowners, may be worth up to a third of that of seasoned seamen and must include the cost of life insurance against all risks.11.6. After the traineeship has been satisfactorily completed the skipper shall sign a document to that effect after the trip, such document then being sent, via the owner or his representative, to the Fisheries and Environment Ministry.12. Scientific observers12.1. Any vessel may be asked to take on board a scientific observer designated and employed by the Fisheries and Environment Ministry.12.2. Observers shall not normally remain on board for more than one trip.12.3. The time spent on board by the observer shall be set by the Angolan authorities but, as a general rule, should not exceed the time required to carry out the duties concerned.12.4. Observers will be treated as ship's officers.Observers shall:- observe the fishing activities of the vessels,- perform biological sampling in the context of scientific programmes,- take note of the fishing gear used,- verify the catch data for Angola's zone as recorded in the logbook,- report fishing data by radio once a week.12.5. 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 said vessel,- draft an activity report to be transmitted to the competent Angolan authorities.The conditions under which observers are taken on board are to be agreed between the shipowner or his agent and the Angolan authorities. The cost of the observers' wages and social insurance contributions shall be charged to the Fisheries and Environment Ministry. Shipowners shall, through their agents, pay the Marine Research Institute EUR 15 for each day spent by an observer on board a vessel. Shipowners who are unable to take observers aboard and put them ashore at an Angolan port agreed by common accord with the Angolan authorities shall bear the cost of taking the observers aboard and putting them ashore.If the observer is not present at the time and place agreed or during the twelve hours following the time agreed, shipowners shall automatically be absolved of their obligation to take the observer on board.13. Inspection and monitoringCommunity vessels fishing under the terms of the Agreement shall be monitored by satellite in accordance with the Protocol on VMS and without prejudice to the Angolan legislation applicable.At the request of the Angolan authorities, Community fishing vessels operating under the terms of the Agreement shall allow on board any Angolan officials responsible for the inspection and monitoring of fishing activities and facilitate the accomplishment of their duties.These officials shall not remain on board any longer than is necessary for the accomplishment of their duties.14. Mesh sizeThe minimum size of the mesh used shall be:- 50 mm for shrimp fishing,- 110 mm for demersal fishing.The introduction of new mesh sizes shall apply to Community vessels from the sixth month following notification to the Commission of the European Communities.15. Boarding15.1. The European Community Delegation in Luanda shall be informed within 48 hours of the boarding, within Angola's fishing zone, of any fishing vessel flying the flag of a Member State of the Community and operating under the terms of this Agreement between the Community and a third country, and shall at the same time receive a summary report of the circumstances and reasons for the boarding of the vessel.15.2. In the case of vessels authorised to fish in Angolan waters, 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 alleged infringement, a consultation meeting shall be held, within 48 hours of receipt of the abovementioned information, between the Delegation of the Commission of the European Communities, the Fisheries and Environment Ministry 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, in particular automatically registered data showing the vessel's positions during the trip up to the time of boarding, which may help to clarify the circumstances of the facts concerned.The shipowner or his representative shall be informed of the outcome of the meeting and of any measures resulting from the boarding.15.3. Before any judicial proceedings are brought, an attempt shall be made to resolve the alleged infringement through a compromise procedure. This procedure shall be completed no later than three working days after the boarding.15.4. If the case cannot be settled by compromise, judicial proceedings shall be brought and bank security payable by the shipowner shall be set by the relevant authority within 48 hours following the conclusion of the compromise procedure pending the judicial decision. The amount of the security may not exceed the maximum penalty applicable under national legislation for the alleged infringement. The bank security shall be returned to the shipowner by the relevant authority once the case is settled by judicial decision without the master of the vessel concerned being incriminated.15.5. The vessel and its crew shall be released:- at the end of the concertation meeting, if the established facts permit, or- as soon as the obligations arising from the compromise have been fulfilled, or- as soon as bank security has been lodged by the shipowner (judicial proceedings).16. InfringementsAny infringement of Angolan legislation or the provisions of this Protocol by a Community vessel shall be notified to the Delegation of the Commission of the European Communities in Luanda, without prejudice to the sanctions applicable under the legislation concerned.ANNEX BCONDITIONS GOVERNING THE FISHING ACTIVITIES OF COMMUNITY VESSELS FISHING FOR PELAGIC SPECIES IN ANGOLAN WATERS1. Applications for licences and formalities for their issuance1.1. The Commission of the European Communities shall, via its Delegation in Angola, present to Angola's fisheries authorities one application per vessel for each shipowner wishing to fish under the terms of this Agreement. It shall do so at least 15 days before the date of commencement of the period of validity requested. Applications shall be made on forms provided for the purpose by Angola, specimens of which are contained in Appendix 1. On first application the form shall be accompanied by a tonnage certificate for the vessel concerned. Each application shall be accompanied by proof of payment of the fee covering the period of validity of the licence.When renewing the licence, only proof of payment of the fee for the period in question need be presented to the Angolan authorities, the other documents referred to above being presented only with the first application or if the technical characteristics of the vessel have changed.1.2. Licences shall, in the case of a first application, be issued to a shipowner for a specific vessel. In proven cases of force majeure the licence for a vessel shall, at the request of the Commission of the European Communities, be replaced by another licence, for a Community vessel of a similar type.1.3. Licences shall be issued by the Angolan authorities to the skipper of the vessel, at the nearest port, after the vessel has been inspected by the competent authority.1.4. The Delegation of the Commission of the European Communities in Angola shall be notified of the licences by Angola's fisheries authorities.1.5. Licences must be kept on board at all times. However, the vessel shall be entered on the list of authorised fishing vessels as soon as notification is received that the European Commission has paid the advance to the Angolan authorities and the list shall be communicated to the Angolan authorities responsible for fisheries surveillance. Pending receipt of the actual licence, a copy may be obtained by fax which must be kept on board.1.6. Licences shall be valid for a minimum of one month and may be renewed.1.7. Each vessel shall be represented by an agent who is officially resident in Angola and is approved by the Fisheries and Environment Ministry.1.8. The Angolan authorities shall, before the entry into force of this Protocol, communicate details of the bank accounts and currencies to be used for paying the fees.1.9. Licences shall cover the fishing of mackerel, sardinella and horse mackerel. A by-catch of up to 10 % is authorised.2. FeesThe fee is set at EUR 3/month per GT.After the trial period the conditions governing these fishing operations (obligation to take seamen on board and put them ashore) shall be laid down by common agreement between the shipowners and the Angolan authorities in the light of the results of the said period.3. TranshipmentAll transhipments shall be notified to the competent Angolan fisheries authorities eight days in advance and shall take place in either the Bay of Luanda or the Bay of Lobito in the presence of the Angolan Customs authorities.Transhipment operations shall be subject to stamp duty and service taxes, all payments concerned being made to the customs authorities in accordance with the legislation in force.A copy of the documentation relating to transhipments shall be forwarded to the National Surveillance Directorate of the Fisheries and Environment Ministry 15 days before the end of each month for the preceding month.Any Community fishing vessel wishing to leave Angola's EEZ with its catch or catches must submit to a customs check in the Bay of Luanda or the Bay of Lobito after giving eight days' notice.4. Food supplies (ship's supplies)4.1. European Community fishing vessels taking on supplies of food in Angola shall do so in accordance with the legislation in force, using only specialist ship's chandlers registered with the Ministry of Trade and established in Angola.4.2. If some or all of the food supplies come from outside Angola a separate list of the products must be sent to the Customs in respect of each vessel, stating the number of crew members on board, in order to determine whether the quantities of products concerned may be regarded as reasonable in relation to on-board consumption requirements. Any quantity in excess of what is regarded as reasonable shall be subject to export duty and other taxes.4.3. Work relating to the provision of ship's supplies shall be subject to stamp duty and service taxes.5. Fuel supplies (ship's supplies)5.1. With the exception of tuna vessels, all vessels operating in Angola's fishing zone under the terms of this Agreement will be provided with facilities for obtaining their fuel and water supplies in Angola.5.2. Any fuel taken on board in Angola must be taken on in Luanda or Lobito.The transhipment of fuel supplies from a tanker or merchant ship in Lobito or Luanda must take place in the presence of the customs authorities and is subject to stamp duty and service taxes.5.3. Where a fishing vessel obtains its supplies outside territorial waters and the 24-mile area, the customs authorities shall be notified, stating the quantities concerned, the location of the vessel and the name of the supplier.6. Reporting catches6.1. At the end of each fishing campaign vessels fishing for pelagic species shall transmit to the Fisheries Research Institute in Luanda, via the Delegation of the Commission of the European Communities, daily catch reports in accordance with the specimen shown in Appendix 6.Moreover, each vessel shall present a monthly report to the Planning, Studies and Statistics Office of the Fisheries and Environment Ministry, listing the catches made during the month and the quantities on board on the last day of the month. This report shall be presented no later than the 45th day following the end of the month concerned.6.2. No fishing vessel may leave Angola's fishing zone without obtaining the prior authorisation of the Fisheries Surveillance Directorate of the Fisheries and Environment Ministry after the catches on board have been checked.In the event of failure to comply with this provision, Angola reserves the right to apply the penalties applicable under its legislation.7. Fishing zonesThe fishing zones accessible to vessels fishing for pelagic species shall comprise all waters under the sovereignty or jurisdiction of the Republic of Angola beyond the first 12 nautical miles.8. Hiring of crew membersVessels fishing for pelagic species during the trial period shall not be subject to the requirement to hire Angolan seamen.9. Scientific observers9.1. Vessels may be asked to take on board a scientific observer designated and employed by the Fisheries and Environment Ministry.Observers shall not normally remain on board for more than one trip.9.2. The time spent on board by the observer shall be fixed by the Angolan authorities, but, as a general rule, should not exceed the time required to carry out the duties concerned.9.3. Observers shall be treated as ship's officers.Observers shall:- observe the fishing activities of the vessels,- perform biological sampling in the context of scientific programmes,- take note of the fishing gear used,- verify the catch data for Angola's zone as recorded in the logbook,- report fishing data by radio once a week.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 said vessel,- draft an activity report to be transmitted to the competent Angolan authorities.The terms under which observers are taken on board are to be agreed between the shipowner or his agent and the Angolan authorities. Their wages and social insurance contributions are to be paid by the Fisheries and Environment Ministry. Shipowners shall, through their agents, pay the Marine Research Institute EUR 30 for each day spent by an observer on board a vessel. Shipowners who are unable to take observers on board and put them ashore at an Angolan port agreed by common accord with the Angolan authorities shall bear the cost of taking the observers aboard and putting them ashore.If the observer is not present at the time and place agreed or during the twelve hours following the time agreed, shipowners shall automatically be absolved of their obligation to take the observer on board.10. Inspection and surveillanceCommunity vessels fishing under the Agreement shall be monitored by satellite in accordance with the Protocol on VMS and without prejudice to the Angolan legislation applicable.At the request of the Angolan authorities, Community fishing vessels fishing under the terms of the Agreement shall allow on board any Angolan officials responsible for the inspection and monitoring of fishing activities and shall facilitate the accomplishment of their duties.These officials shall not remain on board any longer than is necessary for the accomplishment of their duties.11. Mesh sizeThe minimum size of the mesh used shall be 60 mm.12. Boarding12.1. The European Community Delegation in Luanda shall be informed within 48 hours of the boarding, within Angola's fishing zone, of any fishing vessel flying the flag of a Member State of the Community within Angola's fishing zone and operating under this Agreement, and shall at the same time receive a summary report of the circumstances and reasons for the boarding of the vessel.12.2. In the case of vessels authorised to fish in Angolan waters, 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 alleged infringement, a consultation meeting shall be held, within 48 hours of receipt of the abovementioned information, between the Delegation of the Commission of the European Communities, the Fisheries and Environment Ministry 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, in particular automatically registered data showing the vessel's positions during the trip up to the time of boarding, which may help to clarify the circumstances of the facts concerned.The shipowner or his representative shall be informed of the outcome of the meeting and of any measures resulting from the boarding.12.3. Before any judicial proceedings, an attempt shall be made to resolve the alleged infringement through a compromise procedure. This procedure shall be completed no later than three working days after the boarding.12.4. If the case cannot be settled by compromise, judicial proceedings shall be brought before a competent judicial body and a bank security payable by the shipowner shall be set by the relevant authority within 48 hours following the conclusion of the compromise procedure pending a judicial decision. The amount of the security may not exceed the maximum penalty applicable under national legislation for the alleged infringement. The bank security shall be returned to the shipowner by the relevant authority once the case is settled by judicial decision without the master of the vessel concerned being incriminated.12.5. The vessel and its crew shall be released:- at the end of the concertation meeting, if the established facts permit, or- as soon as the obligations arising from the compromise have been fulfilled, or- as soon as bank security has been lodged by the shipowner (judicial proceedings).Appendix 1>PIC FILE= "L_2002351EN.010202.TIF">>PIC FILE= "L_2002351EN.010301.TIF">Appendix 2>PIC FILE= "L_2002351EN.010402.TIF">>PIC FILE= "L_2002351EN.010501.TIF">Appendix 3.1>PIC FILE= "L_2002351EN.010602.TIF">Appendix 3.2>PIC FILE= "L_2002351EN.010702.TIF">Appendix 4.1>PIC FILE= "L_2002351EN.010802.TIF">Appendix 4.2>PIC FILE= "L_2002351EN.010902.TIF">Appendix 5>PIC FILE= "L_2002351EN.011002.TIF">Appendix 6>PIC FILE= "L_2002351EN.011102.TIF">