Overview
Status: Protocol in place. The new protocol will apply provisionally as of 6 October 2025 and will enter into force as soon as the ratification process by both parties has been completed. On the EU side, this implies the consent of the European Parliament.
Type of agreement: Tuna
Protocol dates: 6 October 2025 - 5 October 2029
EU total financial contribution: €825,000 per year
The European Union and the São Tomé and Príncipe signed a first fisheries agreement in 1984.
The fisheries partnership agreement (FPA) signed by the EU and São Tomé and Príncipe entered into force on 29 August 2011. After this, it has been automatically renewed for 4 years periods. The current fisheries protocol covers the period 2025-2029.
Financial details
EU financial contribution: €825,000 per year, with €500,000 dedicated to supporting the sustainable development of São Tomé and Príncipe’s fisheries policy.
Fees for operators: €85 per tonne caught.
- Advance payment for tuna seiners: €11,050 per vessels per year (equivalent to the fees due for 130 tonnes).
- Advance payment for surface longliners: €3,995 per vessel per year (equivalent to the fees due for 47 tonnes).
- Support vessels in support of seiners: €3,500 per year.
- Observer fees: €250 per vessel.
Access to waters
Reference tonnage: 6,500 tonnes per year
Fishing access: Vessels from France, Spain and Portugal can fish for tuna and tuna-like species in São Tomé and Príncipe’s waters.
| Fishing opportunities (number of vessels) a maximum of 35 catching vessels in total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | Spain | Portugal | Total | |
| Tuna purse seiners | 11 | 15 | - | 26 |
| Surface long liners | - | 7 | 2 | 9 |
Sectoral support
The EU provides an envelope of €500,000 per year to support the national strategy for sustainable fisheries. It should contribute to good ocean governance and the promotion of responsible and sustainable fisheries.
EU funding supports the following priorities
- control and inspection of fishing activities, in particular combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and deterring and sanctioning infringements relating to IUU fishing
- improvement of scientific knowledge
- Improvement of sustainable value chain for fisheries, employment and job training for fishing communities, especially for women and young people
Scientific advice
Tuna-like species in the Atlantic Ocean are managed by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), which includes both the EU and São Tomé and Príncipe as members. The EU and São Tomé and Príncipe work together in ICCAT to study and manage tuna stocks. The EU's tuna fleet fishes in compliance with ICCAT's rules.
According to the agreement and its implementing protocol, the EU and São Tomé and Príncipe can hold scientific meetings to assess and recommend ways to manage fishery resources sustainably.
Legal framework
Protocol (publication in the Official Journal pending)
Regulation allocating fishing opportunities
News
On 9 January, the EU launched a Union-wide digital solution called RecFishing in collaboration with EU countries to simplify and streamline data collection on recreational fishing catches across all EU marine areas.
Why do recreational fishers now need to register their catches? Marine fish stocks are a shared natural resource. Their protection and sustainable management depend on having a clear and reliable understanding of fishing activities across Europe, including recreational fishing.
The European Commission has launched a call for evidence to shape the European Ocean Act, planned for adoption in 2026.