The current fisheries partnership agreement concluded between the EU and Guinea-Bissau started on 16 June 2007. It is tacitly renewed for 4-year periods.
It is a multi-species agreement covering tuna as well as cephalopods, shrimps, demersal species and small pelagics fishing categories. The agreement is part of the tuna network of fisheries agreements in West Africa and is one of only 2 active multi-species agreements in the region (the other being Mauritania).
The current protocol applies provisionally as of 18 September 2024 for a duration of 5 years. The protocol allows EU vessels from Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece and France, to fish in Guinea-Bissau's waters.
Main features of the SFPA
Duration of the agreement
4 years renewable (16.6.2007 - 15.6.2011, 16.6.2011 - 15.6.2015, 16.6.2015 - 15.6.2019, 16.6.2019 -1 5.6.2023, 16.6.2023 – 15.6.2028)
Nature of the SFPA
Multi-species agreement
Duration of the protocol
5 years (18.9.2024—17.9.2029)
Financial contribution
€17,000,000/year, including €4,500,000/year to support the fisheries sector.
Fishing opportunities
Cephalopods and fish: 3,500 GRT per year
Shrimps: 3,700 GRT per year
Pole and line tuna vessels: 13 vessels
Freezer tuna seiners and longliner vessels: 28 vessels
Small pelagics: 0t per year (possibility of revision pending favourable scientific assessment)
Fee for ship owners
Pole and line: €70 per tonne caught
Seiners and long-liners: €80 for seiners per tne caught for first two calendar periods, and €85 for following calendar periods. €70 for long-liner per tonne caught
Fish & cephalopods: €310/GRT/year
Shrimps: First 2 years of the protocol: €434/GRT/year
Advances (non-refundable)
Pole and line: €3,600 per year (ref catches: 51,43t)
Seiners: €5,500 per year (ref catches for first two calendar periods: 68,75 t; ref catches for following calendar periods: 64,71t)
Longliners: €3,600 per year (ref catches: 51,43 t)
History
The previous protocol with Guinea-Bissau expired on 15 June 2019. A new protocol was negotiated between the parties on 16 May 2024. Following the adoption by Council on 10 September 2024 of the decision on the signature and provisional application of the protocol, the new protocol between the EU and Guinea-Bissau was signed and applies provisionally as of 18 September 2024.
Scientific advice
In accordance with the agreement and protocol, the two parties encourage scientific cooperation and consult a joint scientific committee (JSC) to strengthen monitoring of the marine biological resources and to examine scientific questions relating to the implementation of the protocol.
The EU-Guinea-Bissau JSC last met in Bissau, 29 March to 5 April 2022.
Documents
Current legal framework
Agreement adopted by Council Decision 2007/854/EC of 4.12.2007 (OJ L342 of 27.12.2007).
Protocol adopted by Council Decision 2024/2588 of 3.10.2024 (OJ L, 2024/2589, 3.10.2024).
Allocation of fishing opportunities adopted by Council Regulation (EU) 2024/2591 of 10.9.2024 (OJ L, 2024/2591, 3.10.2024).