4.3.97 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 62/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 408/97 of 24 February 1997 on the conclusion of an Agreement on cooperation in the sea fisheries sector between the European Community and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and laying down provisions for its implementation THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 43, in conjunction with Article 228 (2) and the first subparagraph of Article 228 (3) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Par- liament ('), Whereas, on 20 June 1996, the Community and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania initialled an Agreement on cooperation in the sea fisheries sector which provides fishing opportunities for Community fishermen in waters over which Mauritania has sovereignty or jurisdiction; Whereas it is in the Community’s interest to approve this Agreement; Whereas, in order to manage them efficiently, the fishing opportunities available to the Community in Mauritania’s fishing zone should be allocated between the Member States; Whereas the fishing activities covered by this Regulation are subject to the controls provided for in Council Regu- lation (EEC) No 2847/93 of 12 October 1993 establishing a control system applicable to the common fisheries policy (%); Whereas, to ensure implementation of the said Agree- ment, it is necessary for the Member States to ensure that shipowners comply with their obligations and provide the Commission with all relevant information; Whereas in accordance with  Regulation (EC) No 3317/94 (°) and with the arrangements agreed in the (') OJ No C 380, 16. 12. 1996. () OJ No L 261, 20. 10. 1993, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2870/95 (OJ No L 301, 14. 12. 1995, 1 . 1). * Eouncil Regulation (EC) No 3317/94 of 22 December 1994 laying down general provisions concerning the authorization of fishing in the waters of a third country under a fisheries agreement (OJ No L 350, 31. 12. 1994, p. 13). aforementioned Agreement, the flag Member State and the Commission have to ensure that applications for fishing licences comply with those arrangements and the Community rules applicable, HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Article 1 The Agreement on cooperation in the sea fisheries sector between the European Community and the Islamic Re- public of Mauritania, hereinafter referred to as ‘the Agree- ment’, is hereby approved on behalf of the Community. The text of the Agreement is attached to this Regula- tion (¥). Article 2 The fishing opportunities arising from the provisional application of the Agreement shall be allocated according to the table in the Annex to this Regulation. As far as cephalopods are concerned, the annual allocation of the opportunities between Member States as from 1 August 1997 will be decided upon by 30 June each year accord- ing to the procedure provided for in Article 18 of Regula- tion (EEC) No 3760/92 (). Where, in a fishing category, a Member State draws up licence applications for less than its allocated tonnage, the Commission shall offer shipowners from the other Member States the opportunity to submit applications. () For the text of the Agreement see O] No L 334, 23. 12. 1996, p. 20. (%) Council Regulation (EEC) No 3760/92 of 20 December 1992 establishing a Community system for fisheries and aquacul- ture (O] No L 389, 31. 12. 1992, p. 1). Regulation as amended by the 1994 Act of Accession.