The Delegation of the European Union in Mauritania attended, on June 17 in Nouadhibou, the delivery of ten Mauritanian coastal vessels to fish captains. This ceremony marks an important step in the implementation of the sectorial support provided for within the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and the European Union.

At € 2.6 billion ouguiya (approximately € 7.1 million), this project is the first modern shipyard in Mauritania. The project was launched in 2012 and it provides for the construction of 100 coastal boats offering to fishermen sanitary, safety and professional quality conditions.

"The European Union is pleased to finance this project with more than 7 million euros. This is a considerable sum which corresponds to the long-term strategic partnership between Mauritania and the European Union," said Ms Maria Becerill, Chargé d'Affaires at the Delegation of the European Union.

This project also reflects the common ambitions of the European Union and Mauritania for the implementation of the national strategy in the fisheries sector, including the establishment of a sustainable resource management and better integration of fishing to the national economy.

The shipyard is one of the projects with funding from sectorial support 2008-2012, a total of 65 million euros (about 24 billion UM). Sectorial support is at the heart of the external dimension of the European fisheries policy and an essential element of the long partnership between the European Union and Mauritania in the fisheries sector.