8.12.2006 Official Journal of the European Union L 3431 | (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 1801/2006 of 30 November 2006 on the conclusion of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, 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 (%), Whereas: (1) The European Community and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania have negotiated and initialled a Fisheries Part- nership Agreement providing Community fishermen with fishing opportunities in the waters falling within the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, (here- inafter referred to as the Partnership Agreement). (20 It is in the Community’s interest to approve the Part- nership Agreement. (3)  The method for allocating the fishing opportunities among the Member States should be defined, HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Article 1 The Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania is hereby approved on behalf of the Community. The text of the Partnership Agreement is attached to this Regu- lation. Article 2 1. The fishing opportunities set out in the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Fisheries Partnership Agreement (hereafter referred to as the Protocol), shall be allocated among the Member States as follows: CT . ber of GT, licences or annual Fishing category i O maximum numoer o Member State catch ceiling by icences per licence period Member State Category 1: Fishing vessels specialising in 9 440 GT Spain 7183 GT crustaceans other than crawfish and crab Ttaly 1371 GT Portugal 886 GT Category 2: Black hake trawlers and 3600 GT Spain 3600 GT bottom longliners Category 3: Vessels fishing for demersal 2324 GT Spain 1500 GT species other than black hake with gear other than trawls United Kingdom 800 GT Malta 24 GT (') Opinion delivered on 16 November 2006 (not yet published in the Official Journal).