Over 48 Spanish tuna boats and trawling vessels will obtain fishing licenses to operate in Madagascar waters. The new fishing agreement between the European Union (EU) and this African country will allow access -to the Indian Ocean fishing grounds- to 48 Spanish vessels, of which 65% Galician.
A total of 88 European vessels will operate in Madagascar waters after the signing of the new agreement. The accord, which is for a 6-year period, will commence January 1st, 2007 and for which the European Community will pay a compensation of Eur 990,000 yearly to Madagascar.
The Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fishery and Food (MAPA) has informed that 23 Spanish tuna purse seining vessels and 25 tuna longliners will be favored by the new fishing licenses.
The Spanish Fishery Department, headed by Ms. Elena Espinosa, remarked that these numbers comply with the real needs of the EU fleet operating in Indian Ocean waters and also cover the requirements of the Spanish boatowners operating in the area. MAPA explained that most of the financial compensation would be invested in scientific fishing programs in Madagascar, and efforts by this country against illegal fisheries and the conservation of resources.
MAPA emphasized the great importance of this agreement for the Spanish tuna fleet and trawling vessels operating it the Indian Ocean, specially during the tuna fishing season in the Mozambique Channel when the tuna vessels use the Madagascar Antsiranana port for discharging and supply to the tuna canning industry in Madagascar.