EC–São Tomé and Príncipe Fisheries Partnership Agreement (2025–2029): Implementing Protocol
PURPOSE: to conclude the protocol on the implementation (2025-2029) of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe and the European Community.
PROPOSED ACT: Decision of the Council.
ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.
BACKGROUND: the Council's draft concerns the approval, on behalf of the Union, of the Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe and the European Community (2025-2029).
The objective of the Protocol is to allow Union vessels to conduct fishing activities in the fishing zone of Sao Tome and Principe, as well as to enable the Union and the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe to work more closely together to develop a sustainable fisheries policy, to promote the responsible exploitation of fisheries resources in the fishing zone of Sao Tome and Principe and in the Atlantic Ocean, and to contribute to establishing decent working conditions in the fisheries sector.
The new protocol provides for fishing opportunities in the following categories: 26 tuna purse seiners; 9 surface longliners; support vessels. The annual financial contribution amounts to EUR 825 000.
The sectoral support programme defined within the framework of this protocol includes in particular actions for:
- support for monitoring, control and surveillance capacities of fishing activities, measures to deter and sanction infringements related to IUU fishing;
- the scientific assessment of the fishery resources of Sao Tome and Principe and management measures based on scientific advice,
- support for improving value chains for fishery products, including support for fishing communities, particularly through employment assistance and vocational training, with particular attention to women and young people.
The Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe and the European Community establishes a Joint Committee responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Agreement and its implementing protocol. In addition, the Joint Committee may approve certain amendments to the protocol. In order to facilitate the approval of amendments to the Protocol, the Commission may approve such amendments on behalf of the Union under a simplified procedure.
The EU's position on amendments to the protocol should be established by the Council. Proposed amendments to the protocol will be approved unless a blocking minority of Member States objects.
Since the protocol has a duration of more than one fiscal year, the budgetary commitments it implies can be spread over the duration of the protocol for annual payments.