EC-Côte d’Ivoire Fisheries Partnership Agreement – Protocol on the implementation of the Agreement for 2025-2029

PURPOSE: to conclude, on behalf of the Union, the Protocol (2025-2029) on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire and the European Community.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act. 

BACKGROUND: the Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA) between the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire and the European Community was signed and entered into force on 18 April 2008 for a period of six years. A previous six year Protocol on the implementation of the FPA started to apply on 1 August 2018 and expired on 31 July 2024.

Based on the Council Decision authorising the opening of negotiations on behalf of the European Union for a new implementing protocol to the Fisheries Partnership Agreement with the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, the Commission conducted negotiations with the government of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire. Following those negotiations, a Protocol was initialled by the negotiators on 21 November 2024. The new Protocol covers a period of four years from the date of provisional application, that date being the date on which it is signed by the Parties.

CONTENT: the purpose of this proposal is to authorise the conclusion of the Protocol (2025-2029) on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire and the European Community.

The main aim of the new Protocol is to provide an updated framework with a view to continuing and strengthening the strategic partnership between the European Union and the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire in the field of fisheries.

Fishing opportunities

The Protocol grants fishing opportunities to European Union vessels in Côte d’Ivoire’s fishing zone in accordance with the best available scientific advice and the resolutions and recommendations of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), within the limits of the available surplus. The aim is also to enhance cooperation between the European Union and the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire so as to promote a sustainable fisheries policy and the responsible exploitation of fishery resources in Côte d’Ivoire’s fishing zone and in the Atlantic Ocean, in the interests of the Parties. This cooperation will also help to promote decent working conditions for fishing activity.

The new Protocol provides for fishing opportunities in the following categories:

- 25 tuna purse seiners;

- 7 surface longliners;

-  support vessels in accordance with the relevant ICCAT resolutions and within the limits set by Côte d’Ivoire’s legislation.

Financial Contribution

The annual financial contribution amounts to EUR 740 000, based on:

(a) an annual amount of EUR 305 000 for access to the fisheries resources in Côte d’Ivoire’s fishing zone, equivalent to a reference tonnage of 6 100 tonnes per year for highly migratory species;

(b) support for development of the sectoral fisheries policy of Côte d’Ivoire, amounting to EUR 435 000 per year. This support meets the objectives of Côte d’Ivoire’s strategic plan for fisheries.

The Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire and the European Community establishes a Joint Committee responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Agreement and its implementing protocol. In addition, the Joint Committee may approve certain amendments to the protocol.