The Mauritian and French governments have reached an agreement on the setting up of a regime of economic, scientific and environmental joint management on the island of Tromelin, off the coast of Mauritius.

Sources at the Prime Minister’s office in Port Louis indicate that the first part of the agreement will concern the exploitation of the territorial waters and the Exclusive Economic Zone of Tromelin.

The second part of the agreement deals with the setting up of a common policy that will ensure a sustainable management of the fishing sector around Tromelin.

The chief of the Mauritian cabinet and head of the civil service, Suresh Chandre Seebaluck who led the negotiations with the Prefect of the French Southern Territories and Antartica, Rollon Mouchel-Blaisot, head of the French delegation indicated that fishing permits to boats flying French flags will be issued by the Mauritian authorities while third party fishing vessels will have to seek permission to fish around Tromelin from both Mauritius and France.

He added that the agreement also concerns the protection of the biodiversity on the island and the continuation of archaeological research on the island which the French government had already carried out in 2006 and 2008.

Also Seebaluck added that the agreement will in no way prejudice the claim of sovereignty of Mauritius over the island.

Tromelin, a small island to the north of Madagascar and which Mauritius considers as part of its territory, had been occupied by the French authorities for the last 20 years. The French have set up a meteorological station on the island.

Source African Press Agency

African News from NetNewsPublisher.com

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