Recommendation for a Decision authorising the opening of negotiations for the conclusion of an Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of the Seychelles

Summary:

Recommendation presented on 9 September 2019 authorising the European Commission to open negotiations on behalf of the Union for the conclusion of an Agreement on access for fishing vessels flying the flag of the Seychelles to the waters of Mayotte.

Further information:

The European Commission proposes to negotiate a new agreement between the EU and the Seychelles on access for fishing vessels flying the flag of the Seychelles to waters and marine biological resources of Mayotte, under the jurisdiction of the EU. The Commission intends to carry out the negotiations for the new access agreement in parallel with the negotiations of a new Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement with the Seychelles.

Background:

In July 2012 the European Council adopted Decision 2012/419/EU amending, with effect from 1 January 2014, the status of Mayotte with regard to the European Union. From that date, Mayotte ceased to be an overseas country or territory, and became an outermost region of the Union. As a consequence, the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of Mayotte became EU waters.

In 2014 the EU and the Seychelles signed an agreement that ensured the operations of Seychelles flagged vessels in the EEZ of Mayotte, under the jurisdiction of France. The agreement, which allows 8 Seychelles vessels to fish in the waters of Mayotte, will expire on 6 June 2020.