EU/Greenland/Denmark Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement. Implementing Protocol (2025-2030)

The Committee on Fisheries adopted the report by Emma FOURREAU (GUE/NGL, FR) on the recommendation on the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Implementing Protocol (2025-2030) to the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Government of Greenland and the Government of Denmark.

The committee responsible recommended that the European Parliament give its consent to the conclusion of the agreement.

At the end of 2024, Greenland and the European Union signed a new implementation protocol for the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) (2025-2030). This is a mixed agreement that allows EU vessels to fish for species such as cod, Greenlandic halibut, redfish, and Northern prawn. In return, the EU provides a financial contribution of EUR 17 296 857 million per year, including EUR 14 096 857 in access fees and EUR 3 200 000 dedicated to supporting and implementing Greenland's fisheries policy, in addition to fees paid by shipowners.

The fisheries agreement has allowed around ten EU vessels to operate in the autonomous territory's waters in recent years. The new protocol details the rules and provisions governing this access.

The newly signed protocol applies for six years. It includes provisions governing access to waters for European vessels and cooperation with Greenland: fishing opportunities, bycatches, scientific cooperation, monitoring, control, surveillance, fishing areas, observers, etc.

A specific characteristic of the agreement is that catches are regulated on the basis of fishing opportunities that are set annually. The programming of sectoral support will be adopted within 3 months of the implementation of the protocol.

At the same time, a report containing a proposal for a non-legislative resolution on the draft Council decision was adopted.