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EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Brussels, 13.10.2026 COM(2026) 547 final

2026/0311 (NLE)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL REGULATION

on the allocation of the fishing opportunities provided for in the Protocol on the

implementation of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the

European Union and the Republic of Mauritius (2026-2030)

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EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

1. CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL

• Reasons for and objectives of the proposal

The Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA) between the European Union and Mauritius1

entered into force on 28 January 2014 for a duration of six years and is tacitly renewable for

additional periods of three years. The implementing protocol has a four-years duration and

will expire on 20 December 2026.

On the basis of the Council Decision of 31 March 20262 authorising the opening of

negotiations on behalf of the European Union of a new SFPA and implementing Protocol with

the Republic of Mauritius, and the negotiating directives contained therein, the Commission

conducted negotiations with the Republic of Mauritius (hereinafter ‘Mauritius’). Following

these negotiations, a new Agreement and implementing Protocol were initialled by the

negotiators on 4 September 2026. The new Agreement will repeal the one currently in force.

The new Agreement covers a period of four years from the date of its provisional application,

tacitly renewed for successive periods of four years. The new Protocol covers a period of four

years from the date of provisional application set out in Article 11, i.e. the date of signature by

the Parties.

The purpose of the new Protocol is to grant fishing opportunities to Union vessels in the

fishing zones located in the waters of Mauritius, in accordance with scientific advice and the

recommendations of the relevant regional fisheries management organisations (IOTC). The

new Protocol provides for the following fishing opportunities:

- 25 tuna purse seine vessels;

- 25 surface longliners.

The objective of this proposal is to allocate these fishing opportunities among the Member

States.

• Consistency with existing policy provisions in the policy area

The main aim of the new Protocol to the Agreement is to provide an updated framework that

takes into account the priorities of the common fisheries policy (CFP) and the external

dimension. This will help maintain and strengthen the strategic partnership between the

European Union and Mauritius.

The new Protocol provides for fishing opportunities for Union vessels. It is based on the best

available scientific advice and on the recommendations made by IOTC.

• Consistency with other Union policies

The negotiation of a new protocol to implement the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership

Agreement with Mauritius is part of the EU's external action towards the countries of the

Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), and in particular with the

Union objectives regarding the respect of democratic principles, human rights.

1 http://data.europa.eu/eli/agree_internation/2014/146/oj 2 Ares(2026)3459674

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2. LEGAL BASIS, SUBSIDIARITY AND PROPORTIONALITY

• Legal basis

The legal basis is Article 43(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

which establishes that the Council, on a proposal from the Commission, shall adopt measures

on the allocation of fishing opportunities.

• Subsidiarity (for non-exclusive competence)

The proposal falls within the exclusive competence of the European Union pursuant to Article

3(1)(d) TFEU. The subsidiarity principle therefore does not apply.

• Proportionality

The proposal is proportionate to the objective of establishing a legal, environmental,

economic and social governance framework for fishing activities carried out by Union vessels

in third-country waters, as set out in Article 31 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 establishing

the Common Fisheries Policy. It complies with that provision and with those on financial

assistance to third countries laid down in Article 32 of that Regulation.

3. RESULTS OF EX-POST EVALUATIONS, STAKEHOLDER

CONSULTATIONS AND IMPACT ASSESSMENTS

• Ex-post evaluations/fitness checks of existing legislation

The Commission carried out in 2025 an ex-post evaluation of the current Protocol to the FPA

with Mauritiusas well as an ex-ante evaluation of a possible renewal of the current

Agreement and Protocol. The conclusions of the evaluation are set out in a separate Staff

Working Document3.

The evaluation concluded that the Union fishing sectors are firmly interested in fishing in

Mauritius and that the negotiation of a new Agreement and its Implementing Protocol is in the

interest of both parties. Furthermore, the renewal of the Protocol would help strengthen

monitoring, control and surveillance, and would help improve governance of the fisheries in

the region.

For the Union, it is important to maintain an instrument that allows for deep sectoral

cooperation with Mauritius, which is a strategic player in the region due to the fishing area

under its jurisdiction and an important ally in the framework of the IOTC. For the Union

fleet’s harvesting strategies, this means maintaining access to an important fishing area under

a multi-year international legal framework. Moreover, the importance of Mauritius in terms of

processing tuna caught in the Indian Ocean and exports of tuna products to the Union

contributes to the relevance of the envisaged new Protocol, both for Mauritius and for the

Union fishing industry. For the Mauritian authorities, continued relations with the Union

would also help strengthen ocean governance, because of the Union’s dedicated support that

provides for multi-year funding opportunities for this sector.

• Stakeholder consultations

Member States, industry representatives, international civil society organisations, the fisheries

administration and representatives of civil society in Mauritius were consulted as part of the

assessment.

3 https://op.europa.eu/publication-detail/-/publication/c7f13a2e-16e6-11f1-8870-01aa75ed71a1

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• Collection and use of expertise

The Commission used an independent consultant for the ex post and ex ante evaluations, in

accordance with Article 31(10) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 establishing the Common

Fisheries Policy.

• Impact assessment

Not applicable.

• Regulatory fitness and simplification

Not applicable.

• Fundamental rights

A clause on the consequences of violations of human rights and democratic principles is

included in the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement.

4. BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS

The proposed Regulation does not affect the Union budget.

5. OTHER ELEMENTS

• Implementation plans and monitoring, evaluation and reporting arrangements

This procedure is initiated in parallel with the procedures related to the Council Decision on

the signing, on behalf of the Union, and provisional application of the Sustainable Fisheries

Partnership Agreement and its Implementing Protocol (2026-2030) between the European

Union and the Republic of Mauritius. This Regulation shall apply as soon as fishing becomes

possible, i.e. on the date of provisional application of the Protocol.

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2026/0311 (NLE)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL REGULATION

on the allocation of the fishing opportunities provided for in the Protocol on the

implementation of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the

European Union and the Republic of Mauritius (2026-2030)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular

Article 43, paragraph 3 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Whereas:

(1) On 31 March 2026, the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations with

the Republic of Mauritius for a Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement

(hereinafter the ‘Partnership Agreement’), together with an implementing Protocol

(2026-2030) (hereinafter the ‘Protocol’).

(2) The negotiations were successfully concluded and resulted in the initialling of the

Partnership Agreement and its Protocol on 4 September 2026.

(3) On [...], the Council adopted Decision (EU) [...] on the signing and provisional

application of the new Protocol, subject to its conclusion at a later date.

(4) The Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA) between the European Union and

Mauritius entered into force on 28 January 2014 for a duration of six years and is

tacitly renewable for additional periods of three years. The Protocol has a four-years

duration and will expire on 20 December 2026.

(5) The fishing opportunities provided for in the Protocol should be allocated among the

Member States for the entire period of application of the Protocol.

(6) This Regulation should enter into force as soon as possible given the economic

importance of Union fishing activities in Mauritius’ fishing zone and the need to

minimise the duration of interruption of those activities.

(7) The Protocol will apply provisionally from the date of its signature in order to allow

the fishing activities of Union vessels. This Regulation should therefore apply from

the same date.

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

The fishing opportunities set out in the Protocol on the implementation of the Sustainable

Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Mauritius

(‘the Protocol’) shall be allocated among the Member States as follows:

(a) tuna purse seine vessels:

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– Spain: 14 vessels

– France: 10 vessels

– Italy: 1 vessels

(b) surface longliners:

– Spain: 7 vessels

– France: 16 vessels

– Portugal: 2 vessels

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the

Official Journal of the European Union.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President