PURPOSE: to approve the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire and the European Community (2018-2024).
NON-LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision (EU) 2019/385 on the conclusion of the Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire (2018-2024).
CONTENT: the Council adopted a Decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire (2018-2024).
The Fisheries Partnership Agreement between Côte d'Ivoire and the European Community entered into force on 18 April 2008. The last Protocol to the Agreement entered into force on 1 July 2013 and expired on 30 June 2018.
The Commission negotiated, on behalf of the Union, a new Protocol on the implementation of the Agreement. The Protocol has provisionally applied since its date of signature (1 August 2018), subject to its conclusion at a later date.
The main objective of the Protocol is to enable the European Union and the Republic of Côte dIvoire to work more closely together on promoting a sustainable fisheries policy, sound exploitation of fisheries resources in Côte dIvoire waters, and Côte dIvoire's efforts to develop a blue economy.
Fishing opportunities
It also aims to provide fishing opportunities for Union vessels in Côte dIvoire waters, on the basis of the best available scientific advice and following the recommendations of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT).
The Protocol provides for fishing opportunities in the following categories:
- 28 freezer tuna seiners;
- 8 surface longliners.
Financial contribution
The financial contribution of the agreement is set at EUR 682 000 per year, i.e. a total amount of EUR 4 092 000 for the period covered by the agreement. It includes:
- an annual amount of EUR 330 000 for access to the Ivorian fishing zone for the first two years of application of this Protocol and EUR 275 000 for subsequent years corresponding to a reference tonnage of 5 500 tonnes per year; and
- a specific annual amount of EUR 352 000 for the first two years of application of this Protocol and EUR 407 000 for the following years, intended to contribute to the implementation of Côte d'Ivoire's sectoral fisheries policy.
The agreement establishes the Joint Committee to monitor its implementation. In addition, in accordance with the Protocol, the Joint Committee may approve certain amendments to the Protocol. In order to facilitate the approval of such amendments, the Commission will be empowered, subject to specific conditions, to approve such amendments by a simplified procedure.
ENTRY INTO FORCE: 13.3.2019.