Cabo Verde and the European Union have signed a new protocol for the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA) that provides EU vessels five years of access to the Islands’ waters, while the EU pledges to continue its support for developing Cabo Verde’s fisheries.
The agreement gives 24 tuna seiners, ten pole-and-line tuna vessels and 22 surface longliners operating under the flags of Spain, France and Portugal, access to Cabo Verdean waters to fish for tunas and associated species. There has been a short interruption in access to Cabo Verde’s waters since the expiry of the previous protocol in May this year.
The agreed annual catch reference is 7000 tonnes, which reflects the trend of catches in recent years by EU vessels in the Cabo Verde fishing zone.
The EU contribution to this new protocol is estimated at €3.9 million over a period of five years, consisting of €780,000 per year, of which €430,000 will be dedicated to promoting Cabo Verde’s sustainable fisheries management, control and surveillance capacities, and supporting local fishing communities. In addition to the EU contribution, vessel operators will pay fees to the Cabo Verde’s administration to be authorised to fish.
The protocol is expected to create added value and jobs by encouraging transhipments and landings of catches in the port of Mindelo, as well as the involvement of local crew and observers on European vessels. One of the objectives is to ensure the best conditions to secure the supply of fishery products to local processing companies.
Through this partnership, the EU will also contribute to scientific capacity building, observation and management of the marine environment and marine protected areas, sustainable fisheries management, and fisheries control and the fight against IUU fishing. The new protocol also contains new provisions to improve vessel monitoring, the management of fishing authorisations, and enhanced management measures for sharks.
