Conclusion of Fisheries Partnership Agreement between EU and Gabon

Council Decision (EU) 2022/2066 of 21 February 2022 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Implementing Protocol to the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Gabonese Republic and the European Community (2021-2026)

Update

The Council of the EU has concluded the Implementing Protocol of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the EU and the Gabonese Republic. The Protocol was approved on 21 February 2022 in view of the economic importance of EU fishing activities in the Gabonese fishing zone, and the need to reduce any interruption of these activities on expiry of the 2013 Protocol.

Impacted Products

fish, seafood

What is changing?

The EU and Gabon have concluded a Fisheries Partnership Agreement (Protocol) to work closely together and promote the development of a sustainable fisheries policy and responsible exploitation of fisheries resources in the Gabonese fishing zone and in the Atlantic Ocean, while contributing to decent working conditions in the sector.

Why?

In accordance with Council Decision (EU) 2021/1117, the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the EU and Gabon was signed on 29 June 2021, subject to its conclusion at a later date.

Timeline

The previous Protocol of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Gabonese Republic expired in July 2016. Negotiations for a new Protocol were successfully concluded and the Implementing Protocol (2021–2026) was initialled on 10 February 2021.

What are the major implications for exporting countries?

The EU provides a financial contribution of €1,600,000, equivalent to a reference tonnage of 32,000 tonnes, for its vessels to have access to Gabonese waters. The EU also provides a financial contribution of €1,000,000 in support of Gabon's sectoral fisheries policy.

Background

The Implementing Protocol to the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between Gabon and the EU (2021–2026) was signed and entered into provisional application on 29 June 2021. This fisheries agreement allows EU vessels from Spain and France (27 tuna seiners, six pole-and-line tuna vessels and four trawlers, mainly targeting bottom-dwelling crustaceans) to fish in the Gabonese waters, and is part of the tuna network fisheries agreements in West Africa. EU vessels can fish the surplus of the allowable catch and contribute to regular supplies to the local fish-processing industry on a sustainable basis.

Sources