Extension of Fisheries Partnership Agreement between EU and Mauritius
- Common Fisheries Policy
Summary
This call for evidence feeds into an evaluation of the EU’s Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA) with Mauritius. The current 4-year implementing protocol (2022–2026) provides 85 EU Member State vessels access to Mauritian waters. It expires in December 2026. The evaluation will consider the operation of this protocol and its impacts on Mauritius, and will help shape the development of a new protocol.
Fisheries Partnership Agreement between European Union and Republic of Mauritius – call for evidence
EU-Mauritius fisheries agreement – negotiation mandate for a new protocol
Update
This call for evidence feeds into an evaluation of the EU’s Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA) with Mauritius. The current 4-year implementing protocol (2022–2026) provides 85 EU Member State vessels access to Mauritian waters. It expires in December 2026. The evaluation will consider the operation of this protocol and its impacts on Mauritius, and will help shape the development of a new protocol.
Impacted Products
Tuna
What is changing?
The European Commission is evaluating the impact of its FPA with Mauritius. This includes assessments of:
- developments in Mauritius’ fisheries policy and the local fisheries sector
- the EU fleet’s fishing activities and the impact of landings on fish trade.
The review will help the EU and Mauritius to draw conclusions on the performance of the current protocol and shape the agreement of a new protocol.
Why?
The current 4-year Implementing Protocol for the FPA between Mauritius and the EU expires on 20 December 2026. After that date, the EU fleet cannot fish in Mauritian waters if there is no new protocol in place. Once agreed, the protocol should be implemented as soon as possible to minimise any interruption to trade. The FPA must also be renegotiated and updated to comply with the Common Fisheries Policy.
Timeline
The call for evidence closes on 27 October 2025. The evaluation will be completed in the first half of 2026. The current 4-year Implementing Protocol expires on 20 December 2026.
What are the major implications for exporting countries?
The consultation feeds into the evaluation and negotiations on a new implementing protocol. It aims to take stakeholders’ views into account and ensure a fair and balanced deal for all parties. The evaluation will also consider regional aspects of the fisheries sector, including jobs linked to the fleets operating within the FPA, notably for the outermost region of La Réunion.
Recommended Actions
Stakeholders can give feedback through the European Commission’s Have Your Say webpage until 27 October 2025. Stakeholders wishing to respond must be registered. Those who do not already have an account will first need to Create an EU login account, then register their organisation on the Transparency register.
Background
The FPA between the EU and Mauritius entered into force on 28 January 2014 for a period of 6 years. Council Decision (EU) 2022/1846 extended the protocol by 6 months.
Under the current FPA, the EU provides a total financial contribution of €725,000 per year (European Commission). The agreement allows EU vessels to fish the surplus of the allowable catch in Mauritius waters, and contribute regular supplies of tuna to the local fish-processing industry. Mauritius is the third largest supplier of canned tuna to the EU market after Ecuador and the Philippines. Products exported from Mauritius enter the EU market duty-free and quota-free, provided they meet the rules of origin defined in the interim Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the EU and certain Eastern and Southern Africa States (including Mauritius and the Seychelles) (European Commission 2021).
Resources
Council Decision (EU) 2022/1846 concerning the extension of the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Mauritius
European Commission (nd) Fisheries partnership agreement with Mauritius
European Commission (2021) Ex-post and ex-ante evaluation study of the implementing protocol to the fisheries partnership agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Mauritius: final report. Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.
Protocol implementing the fisheries partnership agreement between the EU and Mauritius (2022–2026)
Regulation 2022/2584 on the allocation of fishing opportunities under the Protocol implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the EU and Mauritius (2022–2026)
Sources
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.
Fisheries Partnership Agreement between European Union and Republic of Mauritius – call for evidence
EU-Mauritius fisheries agreement – negotiation mandate for a new protocol
What is changing and why?
The European Commission is evaluating the impact of its Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA) with Mauritius. The current protocol, which allows the European Union (EU) fleet to fish in the waters of Mauritius, will expire in December 2026.
The evaluation will include assessments of:
- developments in Mauritius’ fisheries policy and the local fisheries sector
- the EU fleet’s fishing activities and the impact of landings on fish trade.
This call for evidence will help the EU and Mauritius to shape the agreement of a new protocol and ensure that future negotiations on a new protocol will take the views of all stakeholders into consideration.
Actions
Stakeholders can give feedback through the European Commission’s Have Your Say webpage until 27 October 2025. Stakeholders wishing to respond must be registered. Those who do not already have an account will first need to Create an EU login account, then register their organisation on the Transparency register.
Timeline
The call for evidence closes on 27 October 2025. The evaluation will be completed in the first half of 2026. The current 4-year Implementing Protocol expires on 20 December 2026.
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.