EUR-Lex
COM(2024)0234

EUR-Lex
COM(2024)0237

PURPOSE: to conclude, on behalf of the European Union, the Protocol (2024-2029) implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cabo Verde.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.

BACKGROUND: the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cabo Verde (FPA) was signed on 12 February 2007 and entered into force on 30 March 2007 for a period of 5 years. It is tacitly renewable and is therefore still in force. A previous 5-year FPA Implementing Protocol entered into force on 20 May 2019 and expired on 19 May 2024.

On 19 December 2023, the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations for a new Protocol to the FPA.

The Commission conducted negotiations with Cabo Verde on the conclusion of a new Protocol implementing the FPA between the European Community and Cabo Verde. The objective is to allow Union vessels to enter Cabo Verde’s fishing zone to fish for tuna and related species in accordance with the measures adopted by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). Following these negotiations, a new text of the Implementing Protocol was signed on 15 April 2024.

The new Protocol covers a period of 5 years from the date of provisional application.

CONTENT: the purpose of this proposal is to conclude the new Protocol (2024-2029) implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cabo Verde.

The main aim of the Protocol to the FPA is to provide an updated framework that takes into account the priorities of the common fisheries policy (CFP) and its external dimension. The new Protocol aims to grant fishing opportunities to Union vessels in the fishing zones located in Cabo Verde’s waters, in accordance with scientific advice and ICCAT recommendations. Another objective is to strengthen cooperation between the Union and Cabo Verde by implementing the FPA partnership framework to develop a sustainable fisheries policy and promote sound exploitation of fishery resources in Cabo Verde’s waters, in the interests of both parties.

Fishing opportunities

The new Protocol allows Union vessels to fish for tuna in Cabo Verde’s waters and provides for the following fishing opportunities:

- 24 tuna seiners;

- 22 surface longliners;

- 10 pole-and-line vessels;

in addition to support vessels in accordance with the relevant ICCAT resolutions.

Financial contribution

The financial contribution for the entire duration of the Protocol is EUR 3 900 000 (i.e. EUR 780 000 per year), based on:

- a reference tonnage of 7 000 tonnes, for which an annual amount linked to access has been set at EUR 350 000;

- support for developing Cabo Verde’s sectoral fisheries policy, amounting to EUR 430 000 per year.

This support meets the objectives of cooperation in the fields of sustainable exploitation of fishery resources, aquaculture, sustainable development of the oceans, protection of the marine environment, and the blue economy.

The annual amount for commitment and payment appropriations is established during the annual budgetary procedure, including for the reserve line for protocols not yet having entered into force at the beginning of the year.

EUR-Lex
COM(2024)0236