EU/MADAGASCAR: Boost for European tuna supplies from Madagascar

The European Union and Madagascar have struck a new fishing agreement, which will increase the amount of tuna that can be caught by EU fishing vessels in waters off the Indian Ocean island state to 11,000 tonnes, up from 9,500 tonnes previously. The number of fishing boats that will be allowed to catch Madagascan tuna will also rise to 80, up from 75, including 40 seiners and 40 long-liners from Spain, France, Italy and Portugal. In return, the EU is to pay Euro 517,000 annually to Madagascar, which will be spent on improving fisheries management and the small-boat fisheries sector in the country, through support for surveillance and monitoring of fisheries activities, scientific research and training.