EU and Côte d’Ivoire Fisheries Partnership Agreement

Council Decision (EU) 2025/2229 of 27 October 2025 on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire and the European Community (2025-2029)

Update

The European Commission and Côte d'Ivoire have agreed a new Implementing Protocol (2025–2029) to the current Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA) between the European Union (EU) and Côte d’Ivoire, with fishing opportunities in Côte d’Ivoire’s waters for 32 EU vessels.

Impacted Products

Tuna and other highly migratory fish

What is changing?

The European Commission and Côte d'Ivoire have agreed a new Implementing Protocol (2025–2029) to the FPA between the EU and Côte d’Ivoire. The new Protocol will provide fishing opportunities for EU fleets, and the EU will provide Côte d’Ivoire a yearly financial contribution of €740,000. This consists of annual fishing access to Côte d’Ivoire’s waters at €305,000 (based on a estimated catch of 6,100 tonnes), plus support for development of Côte d’Ivoire’s sectoral fisheries policy at €435,000 per year (for details see Proposal for a Council Decision).

The new Protocol will allow fishing opportunities for:

• 25 tuna seiners (France 11, Spain 14)
• 7 surface longliners (Portugal 2, Spain 5).

Why?

The previous 6-year Implementing Protocol to the FPA expired on 31 July 2024.

Timeline

The new Protocol took effect on 27 October 2025.

What are the major implications for exporting countries?

The new protocol to the FPA with Côte d’Ivoire is in line with the objectives of the interim Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the EU and Côte d’Ivoire aimed at promoting trade in goods between them.

Abidjan, a major regional fish landing port (almost 900,000 tonnes per year), is the preferred processing location for the EU tuna fleet in the Atlantic. As a Port State, Côte d’Ivoire must be able to implement international standards for inspection of vessels that use its port. Côte d’Ivoire has significant responsibility in the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and needs to secure more than €600 million over 5 years for sustainable development of the sector (Evaluation). (See Regulation on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing – explained.)

Background

Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements (SFPAs) ensure consistency between the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy and other European policies, better governance of fisheries, combating IUU fishing, integration of partner countries into the global economy, and sustainable use of partner country resources. See Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements explained.

The current SFPA between the European Union and Côte d’Ivoire was renewed on 6 June 2025 (European Commission 2025). It is part of the network of SFPAs available to EU operators in West and Central Africa. The FPA provides fishing opportunities for EU vessels from France, Portugal, and Spain, targeting tuna and other highly migratory species.

Resources

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