AGRINFO AGRINFO logo

THE LATEST ON EU AGRI-FOOD POLICIES IMPACTING LOW- AND MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES

EU–The Gambia Fisheries Partnership Agreement

  • Common Fisheries Policy
  • Blue economy
  • Sustainability/Due diligence

Summary

This Call for Evidence relates to an evaluation of the protocol implementing the EU’s Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) with The Gambia. The current protocol expires in July 2025.

EU–The Gambia Fisheries Partnership Agreement – Call for Evidence

Call for Evidence – EU–The Gambia fisheries agreement – negotiating mandate for an implementing protocol [scroll down to Download]

Update

This Call for Evidence relates to an evaluation of the protocol implementing the EU’s Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) with The Gambia. The current protocol expires in July 2025.

Impacted Products

Tuna, demersal (bottom-dwelling) fish

What is changing?

A new protocol needs to be negotiated for the EU fleet to fish in The Gambia’s waters as soon as possible after the current protocol expires on 30 July 2025.

Why?

The EU fleet cannot fish in waters of The Gambia if there is no protocol implementing the SFPA between The Gambia and the EU [Common Fisheries Policy Basic Regulation 1380/2013, Art. 31(5)]. This Call for Evidence aims to ensure that the evaluation and future negotiations on a renewal of the protocol with The Gambia consider the views of stakeholders.

Timeline

Feedback on this Call for Evidence can be provided until 26 July 2024 via the European Commission’s Have your say webpage.

What are the major implications for exporting countries?

A new protocol would benefit The Gambia’s population by providing economic revenue and employment opportunities. Implementing the SFPA promotes good governance and supports the local fishing sector.

Recommended Actions

Fisheries authorities, the fishing industry (fishing and processing), and civil society in The Gambia are encouraged to respond to this Call for Evidence before 26 July 2024 via the European Commission’s Have your say webpage.

Background

The Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) between the EU and The Gambia was concluded in July 2019. The current protocol allows for EU vessels from Spain, Greece, and France to fish in waters of The Gambia, and is part of the tuna network fisheries agreements in West Africa. The Gambia receives €550,000 per year during the 6-year duration of the protocol.

Regulation 1380/2013 on the Common Fisheries Policy sets out mandatory evaluation requirements for SFPAs. SFPAs ensure consistency between the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy and other European policies, including sustainable use of partner country resources; combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing; integration of partner countries into the global economy; and better political and financial governance of fisheries.

Resources

Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of The Gambia

Decision 2020/392 on the conclusion of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of The Gambia and of the Protocol on the implementation of that Partnership Agreement

Decision 2019/1332 on the on the signing, on behalf of the Union, and provisional application of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of The Gambia and of the Protocol on the implementation of that Partnership Agreement

Regulation 2019/1333 on the allocation of fishing opportunities under the Protocol on the implementation of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of The Gambia

Regulation 1380/2013 on the Common Fisheries Policy

Sources

Call for Evidence – EU–The Gambia fisheries agreement – negotiating mandate for an implementing protocol [scroll down to Download]

Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall COLEAD be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of information available on this website or any link to external sites. The use of the website is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. This information platform was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents do not, however, reflect the views of the European Union.

EU–The Gambia Fisheries Partnership Agreement – Call for Evidence

Call for Evidence – EU–The Gambia fisheries agreement – negotiating mandate for an implementing protocol [scroll down to Download]

What is changing and why?

A new protocol needs to be negotiated for the EU fleet to fish in waters of The Gambia as soon as possible after the current protocol expires in July 2025. This Call for Evidence helps ensure that future negotiations on its renewal consider the views of stakeholders.

Actions

Fisheries authorities, the fishing industry (fishing and processing), and civil society in The Gambia are encouraged to respond to this Call for Evidence.

Timeline

Feedback on this Call for Evidence can be provided until 26 July 2024 via the European Commission’s Have your say webpage.

Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall COLEAD be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of information available on this website or any link to external sites. The use of the website is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. This information platform was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents do not, however, reflect the views of the European Union.