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 Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire and the European Community (2025-2029) was signed, subject to its conclusion at a later date. It is now appropriate to approve the Protocol on behalf of the Union.

CONTENT: the draft Council decision concerns the approval, 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 (2025-2029).

The aim of the Protocol is to allow Union vessels to fish in Côte d’Ivoire’s fishing zone and to enable the Union and the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire (‘Côte d’Ivoire’) to work together more closely to develop a sustainable fisheries policy, so as to promote the responsible exploitation of fishery resources in Côte d’Ivoire’s fishing zone and in the Atlantic Ocean, and to help achieve decent working conditions in the fisheries sector.

The new protocol provides for fishing opportunities in the following categories: (i) 25 purse seine tuna vessels; (ii) 7 surface longliners; (iii) support vessels in accordance with the relevant ICCAT resolutions and the limits set by Côte d'Ivoire legislation.

The annual financial contribution amounts to EUR 740 000.

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

In order to facilitate the approval of amendments to the Protocol, the Commission should be authorised, subject to specific substantive and procedural conditions set out in the Annex to this Decision, to approve them on behalf of the Union under a simplified procedure.

The Union’s position on the proposed amendments to the Protocol should be established by the Council. The proposed amendments to the Protocol are approved unless a blocking minority of Member States objects to them.