Seafood Hub: 86 EU Vessels Operate in Our Water

The goal is to allow 41 tuna seiners and 45 longliners from Spain, Italy, United Kingdom, Portugal and France to fish in our waters against an annual fishing right order Rs 26.4 million to the Mauritian government.

The European Union has ratified the recommendation of the European Parliament Fisheries. "The ratification of this MOU is a great step forward for the sector 'seafood hub'. This agreement guarantees a reasonable fishing in our waters and also allows Mauritian fishermen to participate in fishing trips on European ships. Companies engaged in the 'seafood hub' will be able to treat these fish. These companies employ about 16,000 people, "said Minister of Fisheries Nicolas Von Mally, Thursday to Le Matinal.

The Memorandum of Understanding between the EU and the Government of Mauritius has expired in 2007. Both parties were experiencing some difficulties at first to renew the agreement because certain details relating to the renewal of the contract. Additional efforts were undertaken in 2012 to find a common ground. With the decision of the European Parliament approved a new Memorandum of Understanding, the annual financial contribution of the EU is of the order of € 660,000.

The fishing quota imposed is 5500 tons annually. With this new protocol, although EU flagged vessels are not able to fish the quota, the financial contribution of the EU will remain the same each year. The boat owner must pay an additional fee of 35 euros per tonne of tuna caught in Mauritian waters. The tuna quota imposed on the EU through the Memorandum of Understanding of 2007 was about 6,500 tons. It was reduced to 5 500 tonnes. However, it is necessary to improve the quality of life of fishermen in Mauritius. Thus, the EU has agreed to increase its contribution of EUR 365 000.