EU–São Tomé and Príncipe Fisheries Partnership Agreement

Recommendation for a Council Decision authorising the opening of negotiations on behalf of the European Union on a new Implementing Protocol to the Fisheries Partnership Agreement with the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, and possible amendments to the Fisheries Partnership Agreement or a new text of a Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement

Update

The European Commission proposes to negotiate a new Protocol to the Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA) with São Tomé and Príncipe. The previous 5-year Implementing Protocol to the FPA expired in December 2024.

Impacted Products

Tuna

What is changing?

For the EU fleet to continue to fish in São Tomé and Príncipe’s waters a new Protocol needs to be in place as soon as possible since the previous Protocol expired on 18 December 2024.

Why?

The EU fleet cannot fish in São Tomé and Príncipe’s waters if there is no Protocol in place that implements the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) between the two parties.

Timeline

The previous 5-year Implementing Protocol to the FPA between the EU and São Tomé and Príncipe expired on 18 December 2024. On 12 July 2024, the Commission adopted a recommendation to open negotiations on a new Implementing Protocol.

What are the major implications for exporting countries?

A new Protocol would benefit São Tomé and Príncipe’s population by providing economic revenue and employment opportunities through the presence and possible landings of the EU fleet. It would also help set up businesses, vocational training, and programmes aimed at developing and modernising the fisheries and aquaculture sectors in a sustainable way.

Background

The FPA between the EU and São Tomé and Príncipe, concluded in October 2007, is part of the tuna network fisheries agreements in West Africa. The previous Protocol allowed for a maximum of 34 vessels, flying the flags of Spain, France, and Portugal, to operate year-round in São Tomé and Príncipe’s waters. Over the course of the Protocol, the EU has made an estimated total financial contribution of €4.2 million.

Regulation 1380/2013 on the Common Fisheries Policy sets out how SFPAs must be evaluated. The evaluation will form the basis for concluding a new Implementing Protocol.

Sustainable fisheries partnership agreements 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

Sources