31.7.2008 Official Journal of the European Union L 203/1 (Acts adopted under the EC Treaty/Euratom Treaty whose publication is obligatory) REGULATIONS COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 704/2008 of 15 July 2008 on the conclusion of the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania for the period 1 August 2008 to 31 July 2012 THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, (3)  Itisin the Community’s interest to approve the Protocol. Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Commu- nity, and in particular Article 37 in conjunction with Article 300(2) and the first subparagraph of Article 300(3) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (1), Whereas: (1) The Community and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania have concluded a Fisheries Partnership Agreement. That Agreement was approved by Council Regulation (EC) No 1801/2006 (2 and entered into force on 5 December 2006. (20 The Community and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania have negotiated and initialled a Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Fisheries Partnership Agreement for the period 1 August 2008 to 31 July 2012. () Opinion of 10 July 2008 (not yet published in the Official Journal). () OJ L 343, 8.12.2006, p. 1. (4)  The Protocol replaces the previous Protocol approved by way of Regulation (EC) No 1801/2006. (5)  The method for allocating the fishing opportunities among the Member States should be defined, HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Article 1 The Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania for the period 1 August 2008 to 31 July 2012 is hereby approved on behalf of the Community. The text of the Protocol is attached to this Regulation. Article 2 1. The fishing opportunities set out in the Protocol shall be allocated among the Member States as follows: