No L 334/16 Official Journal of the European Communities 23.12. 96 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DECISION of 26 November 1996 on the conclusion of an Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters concerning the provisional application of the Agreement on cooperation in the sea fisheries sector between the European Community and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania (96/731/EC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania on fishing off the coast of Mauritania, which entered into force on 14 June 1988 ('), and in particular Article 13 thereof, Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 3760/92 of 20 December 1992 establishing a Community system for fisheries and aquaculture (*), and in particular Article 8 (4) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Whereas on 18 January 1996-the Islamic Republic of Mauritania terminated the said fisheries Agreement and called on the Community, pursuant to the second subparagraph of Article 13 thereof, to enter into negotiations leading to the conclusion of a new Agreement; Whereas on 20 June 1996, in the wake of the negotiations, the Community and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania initialled an Agreement on cooperation in the sea fisheries sector which provides fishing opportunities (') OJ No L 388, 31. 12. 1987, p. 2. (!) O] No L 389, 31. 12. 1992, p. 1. Regulation as amended by the 1994 Act of Accession. for Community fishermen in waters over which Mauritania has sovereignty or jurisdiction; 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 in accordance with Article 8 of Regulation (EEC) No 3760/92; Whereas the fishing activities covered by this Decision are subject to the controls provided for in Council Regulation (EEC) No 2847/93 of 12 October 1993 establishing a control system applicable to the common fisheries policy (%); Whereas, to ensure implementation of the provisions of the Cooperation Agreement, it is necessary for Member States to ensure that shipowners comply with their obligations and provide the Commission with all relevant information; Whereas, to prevent any interruption of Community vessels’ fishing activities, the Parties have also initialled an Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters providing for the provisional application of the Cooperation Agreement from 1 August 1996 and whereas it is therefore imperative that the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters be concluded at the earliest opportunity, pending conclusion of the Cooperation Agreement on the basis of Article 43 of the Treaty, (*} O] 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, p. 1).