Changes from report parliamentary committee draft to plenary report

The Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA) between the European Community and the Republic of Cabo Verde (FPA) offers fishing opportunities for 56 EU vessels for tuna and related species in Cabo Verde’s waters.

The new agreement covers a period of five years and will offer EU vessels the possibility to fish 7 000 tonnes of tuna and tuna-like species in Cabo Verde’s waters. In return, the EU will pay Cabo Verde a financial contribution of 780 000€ per year (EUR 3 900 000 for the entire duration of the Protocol), from which 350 000€ is related to a reference tonnage of 7 000 tonnes, and 430 000€ to support for developing Cabo Verde’s sectoral fisheries policy.

The rapporteur highlights the strategic importance of Cabo Verde, as a relevant player in the Atlantic Ocean, remembering that the EU and Cabo Verde have developed a cooperative relationship for more than four decades, with respect and political dialogue. Currently, Cabo Verde and the EU share common values such as democracy, respect for Human Rights and the Rule of Law, the promotion of multilateralism, and Cabo Verde is part of a regional group, called Macaronesia, which includes the Azores, Madeira, Canaries and Cabo Verde. The evolution of relations in these fields led to the creation of the EU-Cabo Verde Special Partnership in 2007, which continues to evolve.

The rapporteur stresses the importance of the EU-Cabo Verde SFPA for the EU fleet fishing for tuna and related species in the Atlantic Ocean, following strict EU criteria with regard to fisheries management, resource conservation and environmental sustainability, while at the same time strictly respecting the human rights and contributing for local socioeconomic development.

The rapporteur considers that this is a balanced Agreement, in which the remuneration for the fishing opportunities is lower than the EU contribution to support the development of Cabo Verde fisheries sector. This Protocol puts special emphasis on promoting decent working conditions for fishing activity, scientific capacity building, observation and management of the marine environment and marine protected areas. It promotes sustainable fisheries management, fisheries control and the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU). It also contains new provisions to improve vessel monitoring, the management of fishing authorizations and enhanced management measures for shark stocks. The Protocol responds to Cabo Verde’s desire to strengthen the industrialization and competitiveness of its fishing sector.

In accordance with Article 218(6) TFEU, the consent of the European Parliament is required in order for the Council to adopt a decision on the conclusion of the Agreement.

In the light of the above, the Rapporteur recommends to Parliament to give its consent to the conclusion of the Agreement.