THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 43(3) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
Whereas:
(1) On 5 October 2006, the Council approved the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Seychelles(1) (the ‘Agreement’) by means of Regulation (EC) No 1562/2006(2).
(2) The fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement were set out in a Protocol(3). The most recent Protocol expires on 17 January 2014.
(3) The Union has negotiated with the Republic of Seychelles a new Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement (the ‘new Protocol’). The new Protocol was initialled on 10 May 2013.
(4) On 16 December 2013, the Council adopted Decision 2014/5/EU(4) on the signing and provisional application of the new Protocol.
(5) The fishing opportunities should be allocated among the Member States for the period of application of the new Protocol.
(6) In accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 1006/2008(5), if it appears that the fishing opportunities allocated to the Union are not fully utilised, the Commission is to inform the Member States concerned. The absence of a reply within a deadline to be set by the Council is to be considered as confirmation that the vessels of the Member States concerned are not making full use of their fishing opportunities in the given period. It is necessary to set such deadline.
(7) This Regulation should apply from the date of provisional application of the new Protocol,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
Council Regulation (EC) No 1562/2006 of 5 October 2006 concerning the conclusion of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Seychelles (OJ L 290, 20.10.2006, p. 1).
See page 1 of this Official Journal.
Council Regulation (EC) No 1006/2008 of 29 September 2008 concerning authorisations for fishing activities of Community fishing vessels outside Community waters and the access of third country vessels to Community waters, amending Regulations (EEC) No 2847/93 and (EC) No 1627/94 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 3317/94 (OJ L 286, 29.10.2008, p. 33).