<TI> <P> <HT TYPE="UC">Protocol</HT> </P> <P>setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement between the European Community and the Gabonese Republic on fishing off the coast of Gabon for the period <DATE ISO="20011203">3 December 2001</DATE> to <DATE ISO="20051202">2 December 2005</DATE> </P> </TI>

Article 1

For a period of four years from 3 December 2001, the fishing opportunities granted under Article 2 of the Agreement between the European Community and the Gabonese Republic on fishing off the coast of Gabon shall be as follows:

(a) demersal freezer trawlers fishing for crustaceans and cephalopods: 1200 GRT per month, averaged over the year; (b) freezer tuna seiners: 38 vessels; (c) surface longliners: 26 vessels.

Article 2 1. The financial contribution referred to in Article 7 of the Agreement shall be fixed at EUR 1262500 per year, comprising EUR 378750 financial compensation and EUR 883750 for the measures referred to in Article 3 of this Protocol. The financial compensation for tuna fishing shall be EUR 787500 per year and shall cover a catch weight in Gabonese waters of 10500 tonnes of tuna. If the tuna caught each year by Community vessels in the Gabonese EEZ exceeds this weight, the amount referred to above shall be proportionately increased at the rate of EUR 75 per additional tonne. 2. The annual financial compensation shall be payable not later than 30 April in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005. The use to which it is put shall be the sole responsibility of the Government of the Gabonese Republic. It shall be paid into account No 47069 X, Pêche maritime (Sea Fisheries) in the name of the Public Treasury of the Gabonese Republic.

Article 3 1. The measures set out below shall be financed from the financial contribution, to the amount of EUR 883750 per year, broken down as follows: (a) EUR 141400 towards scientific and technical programmes to promote better understanding of the fisheries and living resources of the Gabonese EEZ; (b) EUR 220937 to the programme for the protection and surveillance of fishing zones; (c) EUR 220937 for institutional support to the administrative department responsible for fisheries; (d) EUR 70700 for study grants and practical training courses in the various scientific, technical and economic fields linked to fishing; (e) EUR 44188 for the Gabonese Republic's contributions to international fisheries organisations; (f) EUR 35350 for the expenses of Gabonese delegates participating in international meetings concerning fisheries; (g) EUR 53025 for vocational training for young people engaged in non-industrial fishing and aquaculture; (h) EUR 44188 for technical assistance to the private non-industrial fisheries and aquaculture sector; (i) EUR 53025 to strengthen capacity for health inspection and quality control of fishery products. 2. The measures and the annual amounts allocated thereto shall be decided on by the Gabonese Ministry responsible for fisheries, which shall inform the Commission thereof. 3. The annual amounts, with the exception of that referred to in paragraph 1(d), shall be made available to the Public Treasury no later than 30 April in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 and paid into account No 47069 X, P_Ceche maritime according to the annual schedule for their use. The amount referred to in paragraph 1(d) shall be paid as it is used. 4. The Gabonese ministry responsible for fisheries shall transmit a detailed annual report on the implementation of these measures and the results achieved to the Delegation of the European Commission in the Gabonese Republic, no later than three months after the anniversary date of the Protocol. The European Commission reserves the right to request additional information on these results from the Gabonese ministry responsible for fisheries and to review the payments concerned in the light of the actual implementation of the measures.

Article 4 Should the European Community fail to make the payments provided for in Articles 2 and 3, the application of this Protocol may be suspended.

Article 5 1. Should a fundamental change in circumstances prevent fishing in Gabon's exclusive economic zone, the European Community may suspend payment of the financial contribution following consultation, if possible, between the two parties. 2. Payment of the financial contribution shall recommence once the situation returns to normal and following consultation between the two parties confirming that the situation is likely to allow a return to normal fishing activities.

Article 6 This Protocol shall enter into force on the date on which the parties notify each other of the completion of the procedures necessary for this purpose. It shall apply from 3 December 2001.