The EU and Guinea-Bissau have signed a new protocol for the implementation of the fisheries partnership agreement . This will allow EU vessels to access Guinea-Bissau’s waters for a period of 5 years, while fostering the sustainable development of the fisheries sector in Guinea-Bissau.
The protocol will also
- strengthen fisheries governance and the protection of the marine environment
- support the creation of jobs and activities in the Guinea-Bissau’s fisheries sector, and
- contribute to a level playing field through principles of transparency and non-discrimination
A multi-species agreement
The EU-Guinea-Bissau fisheries partnership agreement is one of two active EU multi-species agreements in West Africa, and is part of the tuna network of fisheries agreements in the region.
The new protocol will allow vessels from the EU, in particular from Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece and France, to fish in Guinea-Bissau’s waters for a period of five years. The available fishing opportunities cover tuna as well as cephalopods, shrimps, and demersal species.
The EU contribution to this new protocol is estimated at €85 million over the 5 years, consisting of €17 million per year, of which €4.5 million will be dedicated to promoting Guinea-Bissau’s sustainable fisheries management, control and surveillance capacities, and supporting local fishing communities.
In addition to the EU contribution, shipowners will pay licence and capture fees to the Guinea-Bissau administration to be authorised to fish. The combination of the EU’s contribution and fees paid by EU operators puts the total estimated financial envelope beyond €100 million over the 5 year period.
Sustainable fisheries and development of blue economy
This protocol will contribute to the sustainable management of marine resources and to the development of the national fisheries sector in Guinea-Bissau, in line with their strategic objectives and the EU’s partnership policy. It responds to Guinea-Bissau’s desire to strengthen the development and competitiveness of the sector, given the importance of Guinea-Bissau’s fishing zone in the Atlantic Ocean.
For Guinea-Bissau, the protocol should create added value and jobs for the local economy, as well as the embarkation of local fishermen and observers on EU vessels. Through this partnership, the EU will also contribute to
- Scientific capacity building
- Observation and management of the marine environment and marine protected areas
- Sustainable fisheries management
- Fisheries control and the fight against Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU)
The new protocol contains new provisions to
- reinforce transparency of fishing activities in Guinea-Bissau
- strengthen provisions of the protocol on data protection
- reinforce the implementation of sectoral support
- promote the economic integration of Union operators in Guinea-Bissau
The new protocol also enhances provisions on the working conditions of local fishers on board of European Union vessels, as well as strengthens principles on the economic, financial, technical and scientific cooperation between the EU and Guinea-Bissau.
Next steps
The new protocol will provisionally apply as of 18 September 2024 and will enter into force as soon as the ratification process by both parties has been completed, which for the EU implies the consent of the European Parliament.
The provisional application allows the fishing activities of EU vessels in Guinea-Bissau’s waters to resume.
Background
Sustainable fisheries partnership agreements with non-EU countries are negotiated and concluded by the Commission on behalf of the EU.
The current fisheries partnership agreement between the EU and Guinea Bissau entered into force on 16 June 2007 and has been tacitly renewed for 4-year periods. The last protocol implementing this agreement entered into force on 15 June 2019 for a duration of 5 years.
Both parties to the protocol work closely to implement scientific assessments and recommendations within the framework of the Joint Scientific Committee and relevant regional fisheries management organisations, such as International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT).
More information
Details
- Publication date
- 18 September 2024
- Author
- Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries