18.11.2006 Official Journal of the European Union L 319/15 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DECISION of 7 November 2006 on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters on the provisional application of the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Agreement between the European Community and the Gabonese Republic on fishing off the coast of Gabon for the period from 3 December 2005 to 2 December 2011 (2006/788EC) 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) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Whereas: (1) The Community and the Gabonese Republic have nego- tiated and initialled a Fisheries Partnership Agreement providing Community fishermen with fishing opportu- nities in the waters falling within the sovereignty of the Gabonese Republic. (2 It is in the Community’s interest to approve that Agreement. (3) It is necessary to guarantee the continuity of fishing activities from the date of expiry of the previous Protocol () until the date of entry into force of the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in that Agreement. (4)  The method for allocating the fishing opportunities among the Member States should be defined, (*) Approved by Council Regulation (EC) No 580/2002 of 25 March 2002 (O] L'89, 5.4.2002, p. 3). HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Article 1 The Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters on the provisional application of the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Agreement between the European Community and the Gabonese Republic on fishing off the coast of Gabon for the period from 3 December 2005 to 2 December 2011 is hereby approved on behalf of the Community. The text of the Agreement is attached to this Decision. Article 2 The Agreement shall apply provisionally from 3 December 2005. Article 3 The fishing opportunities set out in the Protocol to the Agreement shall be allocated among the Member States as follows: Fishing category Type of vessel Member State Licf;iisa or Tuna fishing Surface longliners Spain 13 Portugal 3 Tuna fishing Freezer tuna seiners Spain 12 France 12