The Mauritanian government's proposed 2027 budget, approved on October 21 and submitted to parliament for ratification, does not account for annual revenue from a European fishing agreement. The agreement, worth approximately 61 million euros, is currently under negotiation for renewal. The budget outlines a total of 34 billion ouguiya in revenue, but the section for European Union contributions has been left blank.
The European Union's annual contribution to Mauritania's budget is comprised of 57.5 million euros for allowing European vessels to fish in Mauritanian waters, as well as 3.3 million euros in support for sustainable development in the country's fishing sector. Ship owners also pay direct fees for fishing licenses and catches. A total of 100 European vessels from ten countries, including Spain, France, and Portugal, are currently licensed to fish in Mauritanian waters.
The current fishing agreement between Mauritania and the European Union was signed on November 15, 2021, and is set to expire on November 14, 2026. The agreement allows European countries to catch up to 280,000 tons of various fish and crustaceans per year, including small pelagic fish, demersal fish, crustaceans, and tuna. The agreement's renewal has been delayed, prompting Mauritania to exclude the associated revenue from its budget.
The Mauritanian government's decision to omit the European fishing agreement revenue from its 2027 budget reflects the uncertainty surrounding the agreement's renewal. The country's fishing sector is a significant contributor to its economy, and the loss of European revenue could have implications for the sector's development. The government has not provided a clear explanation for its decision to exclude the revenue.
The European Union's fishing agreement with Mauritania has been in place since 2000, with periodic renewals. The agreement has provided significant revenue for Mauritania, while also allowing European countries to access the country's rich fishing resources. The current agreement has been criticized by some for its environmental and social impacts.
The negotiations between Mauritania and the European Union over the renewal of the fishing agreement are ongoing. The two parties have been discussing the terms of a new agreement, including the level of European revenue and the sustainability of fishing practices. A new agreement is expected to be signed in the coming months.
The omission of European fishing agreement revenue from Mauritania's 2027 budget highlights the challenges facing the country's fishing sector. The sector is a significant contributor to the country's economy, and the loss of European revenue could have implications for the sector's development. The government will need to find alternative sources of revenue to support the sector.
Key points
- Mauritania's 2027 budget does not include 61 million euros in annual revenue from a European fishing agreement due to uncertainty surrounding the agreement's renewal.
