Spanish fishermen’s organisations are urging the European Commission to defend the interests of the Basque pole-and-line fleet, which has remained tied up in Dakar since January, continuing to incur costs, while Senegal continues to withhold licences provided for in the fishing protocol agreed with the European Union.
According to Spanish industry body Cepesca, there is a pressing need for the European Commission to resolve the situation urgently and to defend the interests of European fishermen against third countries that without explanation unilaterally breach a fishing agreement with the EU.
Cepesca also takes issue with the Commission’s view that in this case, community aid for fishermen is not applicable, despite the support expressed by many members of the European Parliament.
The Basque pole-and-line fleet that operates in those waters (represented by Dakartuna) fishes tropical tuna species, such as skipjack, yellowfin and bigeye, and has not been able to operate regularly for the last 21 months due to the veto on entering Han Bay to obtain live bait.
In addition to this, a decision was announced on 1st January to not issue new licenses for European vessels.