European Parliament Approves Updated Fisheries Protocol with Guinea-Bissau
The new agreement grants EU vessels access to Guinea-Bissau's waters while promoting local fisheries management.
The European Parliament has endorsed an updated fisheries protocol with Guinea-Bissau, allowing 41 European Union (EU) vessels to access the country's waters for the next five years.
The protocol, approved by Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) on Wednesday, provides access to 28 freezer tuna seiners and surface longliners, as well as 13 pole-and-line tuna vessels hailing from Spain, France, Italy, Greece, and Portugal.
Under the agreement, EU fishers are authorized to catch up to 3,500 gross registered tonnage (GRT) of cephalopods and 3,700 GRT of shrimp every year until 2029. However, catches of small pelagic species are prohibited due to concerns over the state of the stocks and low uptake.
In return for access to its waters, Guinea-Bissau will receive €85 million in funding from the EU over the five-year period.
This funding is divided into annual installments of €17 million, with €4.5 million each year allocated specifically for promoting the sustainable management of fisheries and supporting local fishing communities.
This represents an increase of €1.4 million per year compared to the previous agreement.
Additionally, ship owners are required to pay license and capture fees to Guinea-Bissau’s administration.
As a result, the total EU contribution to Guinea-Bissau is expected to exceed €100 million for the duration of the agreement.
Provisionally applied since 18 September 2024, the new protocol received significant support in Parliament, passing with 518 votes in favor, 104 against, and 61 abstentions.
MEPs also advanced a set of recommendations for the European Commission and the authorities of Guinea-Bissau by voting 605 in favor, 68 against, and 10 abstentions.
These recommendations aim to ensure that the fisheries deal contributes to the development of local fisheries.
Key areas identified for improvement include the enhancement of infrastructure to facilitate market access for local fish and fostering cooperation to enable Guinea-Bissau to export its fishery products.
Concerns were raised regarding Guinea-Bissau’s status as a potential flag-of-convenience country.
MEPs argue that the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing is being undermined by insufficient transparency surrounding vessel ownership.
Parliamentarians have urged the EU to provide technical and financial assistance to strengthen and monitor fishing activities, prevent IUU fishing, and combat reflagging strategies.
Eric Sargiacomo, the rapporteur on the matter, stated that the European Commission should improve monitoring and ensure that cooperation in the fisheries sector aligns more closely with local food security needs and social conditions on board vessels.
He emphasized the importance of recognizing the participation of women in coastal communities.
This agreement with Guinea-Bissau is notable as it represents the EU's second most important fisheries partnership with a third country, following the fisheries deal with Mauritania.
Despite fishing contributing 15% to Guinea-Bissau’s government revenue, the country faces challenges exporting seafood to the EU as it does not meet the necessary health and sanitary requirements.
An estimated 3% of catches made by foreign vessels in Guinea-Bissau’s fishing zone are landed within the country.
The protocol, approved by Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) on Wednesday, provides access to 28 freezer tuna seiners and surface longliners, as well as 13 pole-and-line tuna vessels hailing from Spain, France, Italy, Greece, and Portugal.
Under the agreement, EU fishers are authorized to catch up to 3,500 gross registered tonnage (GRT) of cephalopods and 3,700 GRT of shrimp every year until 2029. However, catches of small pelagic species are prohibited due to concerns over the state of the stocks and low uptake.
In return for access to its waters, Guinea-Bissau will receive €85 million in funding from the EU over the five-year period.
This funding is divided into annual installments of €17 million, with €4.5 million each year allocated specifically for promoting the sustainable management of fisheries and supporting local fishing communities.
This represents an increase of €1.4 million per year compared to the previous agreement.
Additionally, ship owners are required to pay license and capture fees to Guinea-Bissau’s administration.
As a result, the total EU contribution to Guinea-Bissau is expected to exceed €100 million for the duration of the agreement.
Provisionally applied since 18 September 2024, the new protocol received significant support in Parliament, passing with 518 votes in favor, 104 against, and 61 abstentions.
MEPs also advanced a set of recommendations for the European Commission and the authorities of Guinea-Bissau by voting 605 in favor, 68 against, and 10 abstentions.
These recommendations aim to ensure that the fisheries deal contributes to the development of local fisheries.
Key areas identified for improvement include the enhancement of infrastructure to facilitate market access for local fish and fostering cooperation to enable Guinea-Bissau to export its fishery products.
Concerns were raised regarding Guinea-Bissau’s status as a potential flag-of-convenience country.
MEPs argue that the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing is being undermined by insufficient transparency surrounding vessel ownership.
Parliamentarians have urged the EU to provide technical and financial assistance to strengthen and monitor fishing activities, prevent IUU fishing, and combat reflagging strategies.
Eric Sargiacomo, the rapporteur on the matter, stated that the European Commission should improve monitoring and ensure that cooperation in the fisheries sector aligns more closely with local food security needs and social conditions on board vessels.
He emphasized the importance of recognizing the participation of women in coastal communities.
This agreement with Guinea-Bissau is notable as it represents the EU's second most important fisheries partnership with a third country, following the fisheries deal with Mauritania.
Despite fishing contributing 15% to Guinea-Bissau’s government revenue, the country faces challenges exporting seafood to the EU as it does not meet the necessary health and sanitary requirements.
An estimated 3% of catches made by foreign vessels in Guinea-Bissau’s fishing zone are landed within the country.
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