SFPAs have gained recognition as a benchmark for good fisheries governance. While SFPAs allow EU vessels to fish for surplus stocks in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of third countries, they ensure equal rules, scientific management and social empowerment, with a focus on environmental sustainability, local growth, human rights and shared accountability.
These agreements also focus on resource conservation and environmental sustainability, ensuring that all EU vessels are subject to the same rules of control and transparency. At the same time, a clause concerning respect for human rights has been included in all protocols to fisheries agreements.
Two types of agreements
There are two main types of agreements
- tuna agreements – allow EU vessels to pursue migrating tuna stocks as they move along the shores of Africa and through the Indian Ocean
- mixed agreements – provide access to a wide range of fish stocks in the partner country's exclusive economic zone
Protocols in force with third countries
The EU has currently 12 SFPAs protocols in force with third countries
- 10 tuna agreements: Cabo Verde, Ivory Coast, Sao Tomé e Principe, Gabon, Cook Islands, Seychelles, Mauritius, Madagascar, Senegal and The Gambia (with a hake component for the last two)
- 2 mixed agreements: Greenland and Mauritania
"Dormant" agreements
The EU has also 6 "dormant" agreements: Equatorial Guinea, Liberia, Micronesia, Morocco, Mozambique, and Solomon Islands. "Dormant agreements" stand for countries that have a fisheries partnership agreement which is still in force but there is no implementing protocol in force. EU vessels are therefore not allowed to fish in waters under the regime of the dormant agreements.
List of fisheries agreements
| Country | Expiry date | Type | Total EU contribution per year | Sectorial support per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabo Verde | 19.5.2024 | Tuna | €750 000 | €350,000 |
| Comoros | Protocol expired on 31.12.2016. Agreement denounced | |||
| Cook Islands | 13.12.2024 | Tuna | €700,000 | €350,000 |
| Côte d'Ivoire | 31.7.2024 | Tuna | €682,000 | €352,000 (2yrs) - €407,000 |
| Equatorial Guinea | Protocol expired on 30.6.2001 | |||
| Gabon | 28.06.2026 | Tuna | €2,600,000 | €1,000,000 |
| Greenland | 21.04.2025 | Mixed | €13,590,754 | €2,931,000 |
| Guinea-Bissau | Protocol expired on 14.6.2024 | |||
| Kiribati | 1.10.2028 | Tuna | €760,000 | €400,000 |
| Liberia | Protocol expired on 8.12.2020 | |||
| Madagascar | 30.06.2027 | Tuna | €1,800,000 | €1,100,000 |
| Mauritania | 15.11.2026 | Mixed | €57,500,000 (access only) | €3,300,000 (for the entire period) |
| Mauritius | 20.12.2026 | Tuna | €725,000 | €275,000 |
| Micronesia | Protocol expired on 24.2.2010 | |||
| Morocco | Protocol expired on 17.7.2023 | |||
| Mozambique | Protocol expired on 31.1.2015 | |||
| São Tomé and Principe | 18.12.2024 | Tuna | €840,000 | €440,000 |
| Senegal | 17.11.2024 | Tuna + hake | €1,700,000 | €900,000 |
| Seychelles | 23.2.2026 | Tuna | €5,300,000 | €2,800,000 |
| Solomon Islands | Protocol expired on 8.10.2012 | |||
| The Gambia | 30.7.2025 | Tuna + hake | €550,000 | €275,000 |
Today, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen is in Greenland to inaugurate the EU Office in Nuuk – Europe's concrete presence in Greenland and in the wider Arctic region.
The 12th annual meeting of the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO) has concluded last Friday 2 February. Under the EU lead, the meeting has seen significant strides towards sustainable fisheries management. The main highlight has been the consensual agreement
Today, the EU and the United Kingdom reached an agreement on the fishing opportunities for 2024 for more than 85 total allowable catches (TACs) in the Northeast Atlantic.
Media
Euronews Ocean: EU and Africa: A partnership for sustainable fisheries
In this episode, Ocean explores so-called sustainable fisheries partnership agreements. Deals between the EU and third countries ultimately designed to make fishing practices more sustainable and boost economic growth.