EC/Cape Verde Fisheries Partnership Agreement (2019-2024). Implementation Protocol

PURPOSE: signature, on behalf of the Union, and provisional application of the Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cape Verde (2019-2024).

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: on 19 December 2006, the Council adopted Regulation (EC) No 2027/2006 on the conclusion of a Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cape Verde, which entered into force on 30 March 2007, was subsequently tacitly renewed and which remains in force. The last Protocol to the agreement expired on 22 December 2018.

The Commission has negotiated, on behalf of the European Union, a new Protocol on the implementation of the Agreement. At the end of the negotiations, the Protocol was initialled on 12 October 2018.

It is appropriate to authorise the signature of the Protocol, subject to its conclusion at a later date. In order to ensure an expeditious start to fishing activities of Union vessels, the Protocol should be applied provisionally upon its signature, pending its entry into force.

CONTENT: the Commission proposes that the Council decide to approve the signature, on behalf of the European Union, of the Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cape Verde (2019-2024), subject to its conclusion.  

The objective of the Protocol is to enable the European Union and the Republic of Cabo Verde to work more closely together to promote a sustainable fisheries policy, the responsible exploitation of fisheries resources in Cabo Verde waters and Cabo Verde's efforts to develop a blue economy. The Protocol provides for fishing opportunities in the following categories:

- 28 freezer tuna seiners;

- 27 surface longliners;

- 14 pole-and-line tuna vessels.

The European Union's annual financial contribution amounts to EUR 750 000, based on:

- a reference tonnage of 8 000 tonnes per year, for which an amount linked to access has been set at EUR 400 000 per year for the entire duration of the Protocol;

- support for the development of the sectoral fisheries policy and the blue economy of Cabo Verde for an amount of EUR 350 000 per year for the entire duration of the Protocol. This support meets the objectives of Cabo Verde's national policy on the sustainable management of its continental and maritime fishery resources for the entire duration of the Protocol.

The negotiation of a new protocol to the Fisheries Partnership Agreement with Cabo Verde is part of the EU's external action towards ACP countries, and takes into account in particular the Union's objectives of respect for democratic principles and human rights.

The Protocol covers a period of five years from the date of its provisional application, i.e. from the date of its signature.