The fisheries partnership agreement between the EU and São Tomé and Príncipe was signed in 2007 and entered into force on 29.08.2011. The current protocol to the fisheries partnership agreement covers the period 19.12.2019 - 18.12.2024 with a financial contribution of €840,000 per year during 5 years, out of which a specific contribution of €440,000 is dedicated to the support of the fisheries policy of São Tomé and Príncipe.
This fisheries agreement allows EU vessels mainly from Spain, Portugal and France to fish in the São Tomé and Príncipe waters and is part of the tuna network fisheries agreements in West and Central Africa.
Main features of the SFPA
Duration of the agreement
4 years renewable, 29.08.2011-28.08.2015, tacitly renewed for additional periods of 4 years)
Duration of the protocol
5 years as of provisional application (19.12.2019 – 18.12.2024)
Provisional application
Yes
Nature of the SFPA
Tuna fishery agreement
Financial contribution
€840,000/year for 5 years, out of which €440,000 have been earmarked for the support of the São Tomé and Príncipe fisheries policy in order to promote sustainability in its waters.
Fee for ship owners
€70 per tonne caught.
Advances
Seiners: €9,100 (ref catches: 130 t. No prorata temporis, the authorisations are granted for a one year period.
Longliners: €3,255 per year (ref catches: 46,5 t)
Other fees: €250 per year for observers ; 3500 € per year for support vessel – No prorata temporis.
Reference tonnage
8 000 t./year
| CURRENT PROTOCOL | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fishing possibilities | ||||
| SPAIN | FRANCE | PORTUGAL |
TOTAL VESSELS |
|
| Tuna seiners | 16 | 12 | - | 28 |
| Surface longliners | 5 | - | 1 | 6 |
History
The first fisheries agreement concluded between the EU and São Tomé and Príncipe dates back to 1984.
Documents
Current legal framework
Fisheries partnership agreement : Adopted by Council Regulation (EC) No 894/2007 of 23.7.2007 (OJ L 205 of 7.8.2007)
Council decision (EU) 2019/2218 on the signing and provisional application of the protocol; the protocol was signed on 19 december 2019 (see date on p. 9 of the protocol)
Information on the date of signature of the protocol : see above
Council Regulation (EU) No 2019/2219 allocating fishing opportunities
Council decision on the conclusion of the current protocol (OJ L 222, 10.7.2020)