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

The European Parliament adopted by 510 votes to 127, with 51 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cape Verde (2019-2024).

In line with the recommendation of the Committee on Fisheries, the European Parliament gave its consent to the conclusion of the Protocol. It also adopted a non-legislative resolution on the draft Council Decision.

The Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement concluded in 2006 between the European Union and Cape Verde is a tuna agreement. The previous Protocol concluded for a period of 4 years expired in December 2018.

Like the previous Protocol, the new Protocol for 2019-2024 must comply with the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) Regulation, which places emphasis on sustainable fisheries and good governance in particular, while recognising the importance of policy consistency between the CFP and the EU’s goals with regard to both development cooperation and sustainable development.

The Protocol provides fishing opportunities in the following categories: (i) 28 freezer tuna seiners; (ii) 27 surface longliners; (iii) 14 pole-and-line tuna vessels.

The financial contribution allocated to the new Protocol amounts to EUR 750 000 per year. This total amount is divided into an annual amount of EUR 400 000 for access to the fishing zone (with a reference tonnage of 8 000 tonnes per year) and EUR 350 000 for the implementation of the national strategy for fisheries and the blue economy.

As regards sectoral support, this amount is higher than under the previous Protocol, in return for a 60% increase in the reference tonnage.