A new Sustainable Fishing Partnership Agreement (SFPA) protocol agreement has been signed by the EU and Guinea Bissau. The deal comes a year after the previous protocol expired.
The new agreement will allow the E.U. fleet to fish in Guinea Bissau waters for a duration of five years.
Around 50 E.U. vessels targeting demersal fisheries (including cephalopods and crustaceans) as well as tuna and small pelagic species will benefit from the agreement. In return, the E.U. will pay Guinea Bissau a financial contribution of EUR 15.6 million (USD 17.8 million) per year, an increase from the EUR 9.2 million (USD 10.5 million) foreseen under the previous protocol.
Part of the E.U. funding will target the development of a sustainable fisheries sector in Guinea Bissau. In addition, E.U. ship owners will contribute around EUR 4 million (USD 4.6 million) per year.
The protocol foresees the transition from the current system based on vessel capacity to a system based on catch limits (TAC), applicable for the last three years of the agreement.
This is a “very positive” step as it reinforces the transparency and sustainability of the fishing activity, said the European Commission (EC).
Catch limits are 1,500 metric tons (MT) for cephalopods, 2,500 MT for crustaceans, 11,000 MT for demersals, and 18,000 MT for small pelagics.
The protocol also includes improved monitoring, thanks to the introduction of an electronic reporting system (ERS), which will become mandatory from the third year on. The quantities agreed upon are fully in line with scientific advice and management plans adopted by Guinea Bissau.
It will enter into force when the necessary legislative procedures for its conclusion have been completed.
