EU/Greenland/Denmark Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement. Implementing Protocol (2025-2030)
The Committee on Fisheries adopted the report by Emma FOURREAU (GUE/NGL, FR) containing a motion for a non-legislative resolution 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.
Background and general principles of the APPD
The report noted the importance of the fisheries sector for Greenland, given that seafood exports account for more than 90% of the autonomous territory’s total exports, and that fishing and the fishing industry together account for 15% of total employment. Members stressed the importance of the SFPA for EU-Greenland relations in the current geopolitical context, particularly in light of the diplomatic and geopolitical tensions recently caused by the new US government, but also in the context of the climate crisis and its impact on the region.
The report highlighted the importance of using the SFPA as a central platform to address common challenges, such as the climate crisis and geopolitical, security, and preparedness concerns, to promote sustainable fisheries policy, scientific cooperation, and environmental resilience in Arctic waters, as well as to foster economic cooperation. It stressed the need to strengthen the EU's Arctic policy and its cooperation with the Government of Greenland.
Sustainability of fishing within the framework of the APPD
While welcoming the robust monitoring system, the comprehensive bycatch management framework and the discard ban in Greenland waters, Members reiterated their concerns about the lack of accurate scientific data on the state of fish stocks.
Members are concerned about the exploitation of the Northern prawn, particularly in parts of West Greenland, where stocks are showing signs of decline due to fishing pressure, global warming and increased predation by cod. They stressed the importance of strengthening sustainable management measures, including adjusting catch quotas in line with scientific advice from ICES and NAFO, and improving fishing practices to reduce bycatch and preserve the marine ecosystem.
Improving scientific advice and data collection
Recalling that robust and reliable data are needed to calculate the available surplus, Members expressed concern about existing gaps for some stocks . In this regard, they recommended that particular attention be paid to the calculation of available surpluses.
Noting that data on benthic habitats in the Greenland Sea ecoregion are limited, the report called on the Greenland authorities to consider devoting part of the sectoral support to strengthening the mapping and detection of species in the vulnerable marine ecosystem. It also called on the Commission and Greenland to provide a further assessment of the impacts on fish stocks of other activities affecting the ecosystems, such as maritime transport, seismological research, pollution and climate change.
Support for fisheries policy in Greenland
The report noted that the SFPA has generated employment opportunities for Greenlandic nationals and that sectoral support provides significant environmental, social, and economic benefits to Greenland. However, it highlighted the low proportion of landings carried out by the EU fleet in Greenland and the limited number of Greenlandic seafarers on EU vessels. Members encouraged the operators to maintain good cooperation and further increase employment opportunities.
The report encouraged the Commission and Greenland, within the framework of the SFPA, to provide further support to Greenland’s small-scale coastal fisheries. Sectoral support can contribute to securing the livelihoods of coastal fishing communities through such measures as, but not limited to, access to training, support for co-management in coastal areas or measures to adapt fishing activities to climate change and improve data. Members support the appropriate inclusion of Greenland’s fishing communities and civil society throughout the process leading to the adoption of the protocols.
Lastly, Members stressed the importance of repositioning the fisheries agreement in the broader context of post-Brexit fisheries governance and regional fisheries management, relations between the European Union and Norway, and other coastal states, in the area of fisheries and the European Union’s policy on the Arctic. They consider it essential to maintain a strong and productive partnership with Greenland and its Nordic neighbours.
At the same time, it is worth noting the adoption of a report on the Council's proposal for a decision.