EU/Greenland/Denmark Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement. Implementing Protocol (2025-2030)
The European Parliament adopted by 561 votes to 109, with 11 abstentions, a non-legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Protocol on the implementation of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union, of the one part, and the Government of Greenland and the Government of Denmark, of the other part (2025-2030).
Background and general principles of the APPD
The resolution 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. Recalling Greenland's geostrategic position in the Arctic, 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.
Parliament stressed that, while ensuring fishing opportunities for the EU fleet, the SFPA should contribute to the exploitation of fishery resources within sustainable limits and to the preservation of marine biodiversity in Greenland waters, in order to achieve economic, social and environmental benefits.
The sectoral support available under the Protocol will help the Government of Greenland implement its national fisheries and maritime economy strategy, including combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, while promoting decent working conditions in fishing activities. The six-year duration of the new Protocol improves visibility for stakeholders. In addition, the total financial contribution paid by the Union and the fees paid by fishing operators are increased.
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 regretted, in particular, the situation of the Northern prawn, targeted by both Greenland vessels and Community vessels. They 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. The Commission is called upon to further cooperate with the Greenlandic authorities to ensure sustainable and balanced exploitation of this resource, which is essential to the local economy.
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 resolution stressed the need for more comprehensive scientific data to map these habitats and to take appropriate measures, including technical and spatial measures to mitigate the impacts of fishing on these ecosystems. Members recalled the importance of vessel monitoring systems to monitor fishing activities and called for 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
Parliament 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 resolution encouraged the Commission and Greenland to provide further support to Greenland’s small-scale coastal fisheries and supported the inclusion and participation of Greenlandic fishing communities and civil society in the implementation of the SFPA.
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 considered 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.