On 30 November 2006, the Council adopted Regulation (EC) No 1801/2006 on the conclusion of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania1 (‘the Partnership Agreement’).

The last Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Partnership Agreement expired on 16 December 2014.

On 10 July 2015, the Union and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania initialled a new Protocol2 to the Partnership Agreement (‘the Protocol’). The Protocol grants EU vessels fishing opportunities in the fishing zone under the sovereignty or jurisdiction of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.

On 10 November 2015, the Council adopted Decision (EU) 2015/21913 on the signing and provisional application of the Protocol.

The method for allocating the fishing opportunities among the Member States should be set out for the period of application of the Protocol.

Article 10(1) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1006/20084 provides that the Commission will inform the Member States concerned if it appears that the fishing opportunities allocated to the Union under the Protocol are not fully exhausted. If no reply is received within a time-limit to be set by the Council, this will be considered as confirmation that the vessels of the Member State concerned are not making full use of their fishing opportunities during the period in question. This time-limit should be set by the Council.

Article 14 of the Protocol provides for the possibility of applying the Protocol on a provisional basis from the date of signature.

This Regulation should apply from the date of the signature of the Protocol,