Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between EU and Madagascar

Council Decision (EU) 2024/198 of 11 December 2023 on the conclusion of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Madagascar and its implementing protocol (2023–2027)

Update

The new Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) between the EU and Madagascar, and its Protocol, set out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided by the EU to fish for tuna and associated species in Madagascar’s fishing zone under a management mandate from the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC).

Impacted Products

tuna

What is changing?

The EU provides Madagascar a yearly financial contribution of €1,800,000. This consists of annual fishing access to Madagascar’s waters at €700,000 (based on a reference tonnage of 14,000 t), plus support for developing Madagascar’s sectoral fisheries policy at €1,100,000 per year.

Fishing opportunities established under the new Protocol will be allocated to 32 tuna seiners (16 from Spain, 15 from France, 1 from Italy) and 33 surface longliners (7 from Spain, 24 from France, 2 from Portugal).

Why?

The negotiation of a new SFPA forms part of EU action in relation to African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries. The SFPA strengthens the strategic partnership between the European Union and Madagascar. It takes into account the priorities of the reformed Common Fisheries Policy and contributes to Madagascar’s efforts to develop its sustainable ocean economy. This cooperation will also help to promote decent working conditions in the fisheries sector.

Timeline

Date of application: 11 December 2023.

What are the major implications for exporting countries?

The EU market represents 78% of Madagascar’s fish and exports. The value added captured by Madagascar from the economic interactions with the fleet of tuna seiners was estimated at over €4 million on average during 2015–2017, with the Antsiranana cannery capturing about 53% of the added value (European Commission 2018).

Background

SFPAs with non-EU countries give EU fishing vessels access to the fishing zones of these countries with a view to strengthening the sustainable exploitation of fishery resources outside EU waters. SFPAs also ensure consistency between the Common Fisheries Policy and other European policies, such as sustainable use of third-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.

The Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the EU and Madagascar has been provisionally applied since January 2007. The most recent Protocol to this FPA applied from 1 January 2015 until 31 December 2018. The new Agreement covers a period of 4 years from the date of signature, 30 June 2023.

Resources

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