EU/Senegal Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement and Implementation Protocol from 20 November 2014 to 19 November 2019

PURPOSE: to conclude a Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and Senegal and the Implementation Protocol thereto.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act. 

BACKGROUND: the Union and Senegal negotiated a partnership agreement on sustainable fisheries for a duration of five years, renewable by tacit agreement, and an Implementation Protocol thereto for a period of five years, granting Union vessels fishing opportunities in the waters over which Senegal has sovereignty or jurisdiction in respect of fisheries.

The Agreement and Protocol were signed on in accordance with a Council Decision and will apply on a provisional basis from the date of their signature.

The Agreement and Protocol should now be approved on behalf of the European Union.

CONTENT: under this proposal, the Council is invited to approve the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and Senegal and the Implementation Protocol thereto on behalf of the Union.

Main objectives of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement: the main aim of the new Agreement is to provide an updated framework taking into account the priorities of the reformed Common Fisheries Policy and its external dimension, with a view to establishing a strategic partnership between the European Union and Senegal in the field of fisheries.

The aim is also to enhance cooperation between the EU and Senegal to promote a sustainable fisheries policy and sound exploitation of fisheries resources in the Senegalese fishing zones, in the interests of both parties.

Protocol: the aim of the Protocol is to provide fishing opportunities to European Union vessels in the Senegalese waters.

For the main details of the Protocol as regards the financial contribution (agreed by the European Union in exchange of fishing licences), the fishing possibilities and the financial envelope of the Protocol, please refer to the summary of the initial legislative proposal dated 2 September 2014.