On the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Protocol on the implementation of the Sustainable Fisheries… Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Government of the Cook Islands (2025-2032)

This new protocol has been negotiated in order to implement the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) between the Union and the Cook Islands which has been in force since 10th of May 2017. The protocol covers a period of seven years and it aims to update the framework of cooperation between the Union and Cook Islands taking into account the priorities of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) as well as the priorities of the Cook Islands. Having this implementing protocol will also strengthen the strategic partnership the Union has with the Cook Islands and promote a sustainable fisheries policy and the responsible exploitation of fishery resources in the waters of the Cook Islands.

The rapporteur highlights the importance of the protocol to contribute to sustainable fisheries management and therefore it is important that the implementation is done using the best available scientific advice and that scientific cooperation will be an important part of the continued partnership with the Cook Islands.

The rapporteur also believes it to be important for our fisheries relationship with the Cook Islands to be implemented in a coherent way together with the other areas of cooperation between our Union and the Cooks Islands. It is important that we focus on ensuring synergies in all aspects of our partnership with the Cook Islands which includes other strategic issues such as environmental sustainability, climate resilience as well as broader economic cooperation.

The protocol will provide fishing opportunities for 4 tune purse seiners and 40 fishing days per year in the Cook Islands’ fishing zone. The protocol and access to these fishing opportunities in the Cook Islands’ fishing zone is important for the EU vessels operating in the area. Compared to the last protocol this is a reduction of fishing days which is to better align it with the utilisation rate under the last protocol. The Protocol will provide for annual financial contribution to the Cook Islands of 460 000 EUR of which 165 000 EUR is for access to the fishery resources and 295 000 EUR in order to support the development of the Cook Islands’ sectoral fisheries policy.

The rapporteur proposes the parliament to give it’s consent to the new protocol. It is important both for the EU fishing vessels operating in the area but also in order to strengthen the strategic partnership between the Union and the Cook Islands. The geopolitical situation in the area is an important reason for the Union to keep strong partnerships with partner countries in the area as well as deeper cooperation and strengthened Ocean Governance in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean specifically through the work in the Regional Fisheries Management Organisations such as WCPFC.

The rapporteur especially raises concerns with the activities and extended influence of China in the region and believes that it is important for the Union to work diligently to uphold our partnerships in the region as well as exploring potential new ones to strengthen EU influence and contribute to a stronger rules-based Ocean Governance structure.

The rapporteur highlights that the sectorial support under the new protocol will contribute to the implementation of the fisheries policy of the Cook Islands as well as the development of their national sector and fisheries economy by promoting growth linked to fisheries-related economic activities, including associated infrastructure, and ensuring decent working conditions. The support will also contribute to their global plan for fisheries, monitoring and combating illegal fishing as well as supporting their small-scale fisheries sector.

The rapporteur would also highlight the importance of respecting the rights and prerogatives of the European Parliament by the Commission and Council when implementing and when potentially renewing the agreement or protocol. In this regard it is important that the Parliament is kept fully and promptly informed, at each stage, of the procedures related to the Protocol as well as the Agreement.

The rapporteur declares under her exclusive responsibility that she did not include in her report input from interest representatives falling within the scope of the Interinstitutional Agreement on a mandatory transparency register, or from representatives of public authorities of third countries, including their diplomatic missions and embassies, to be listed in this Annex pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure.