92003E0139

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0139/03

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(28 January 2003)

Subject: EU-Gabon international fisheries agreement and development cooperation

In the context of the current EU-Gabon international fisheries agreement, can the Commission indicate:

1. how much the EU has earmarked for the development of the fisheries sector in Gabon?

2. how much the EU pays by way of a financial contribution in exchange for fishing rights for the Community fleet?

3. how much Community shipowners have to pay in fees for fishing licences and fishing rights?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(7 March 2003)

1. Article 2 of the current Protocol to the Fisheries Agreement between the Community and the Gabonese Republic(1) fixes the level of financial compensation at EUR 1 262 500 per year. Out of this amount, the Protocol foresees EUR 883 750/year for the measures in support of the Gabonese fisheries sector specified in Article 3 of the Protocol.

2. The financial compensation of EUR 1 262 500 per year represents the amount that is paid in exchange for the fishing opportunities made available to the Community fleet.

3. The amounts paid by the vessel owners are fixed in the Annex to the Protocol.

The licence fees for the trawlers is EUR 168 per gross registered ton per vessel per year. Fees for half-year licences shall be 3 % higher and fees for quarterly licences 5 % higher.

The licence fees are EUR 25 per tonne of tuna caught within Gabonese waters. The licences are delivered after advance payments of EUR 2 600 for tuna seiners and EUR 1 100 for surface longliners.

(1) OJ L 89, 5.4.2002.