The European Union and Senegal have renewed their fisheries agreement, which had expired last December. The new agreement runs till 2006.

However, the fishing possibilities on demersal fisheries have been decreased from 10,000 to 8,000 tonnes. In the interests of the local inshore fleet, fishing possibilities for coastal demersal species have been reduced from 2,131 to 1,500 tonnes. The EU also withdrew its request for fishing possibilities on pelagic species, which have traditionally been the preserve of local inshore fishermen.

The fishing possibilities for deepwater fisheries have also been slightly reduced, from 7,869 tonnes to 6,500.

Rest period
One of the innovations in this protocol is the establishment of a two-month biological rest to help fish stocks. The fishing zones where EU vessels can operate have been reduced to afford greater protection to the artisanal fleet. There will be observers onboard EU vessels. The number of Senegalese fishermen to be employed on EU vessels has been increased from 33 per cent to 50 per cent.

European Fisheries Commissioner Franz Fischler said:

"This deal clearly demonstrates the EU commitment to achieving sustainable fisheries and strengthens the coherence between the Common Fisheries Policy and other EU policies. Fishing possibilities for EU vessels have been decreased on sensitive stocks and technical measures including a two-month biological rest have been agreed to give more protection to fish stocks and to minimise the risk of competition with the artisanal fleet. The financial compensation has been increased from €12 million to 16 million per year with a share of 18 per cent, that is €3 million, dedicated to partnership measures designed to support conservation of fish stocks and strengthen the Senegalese fishing sector."

EU vessels operating under this protocol come from Spain (including 46 Galician vessels), Portugal, France, Italy and Greece.