What changed

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BUDGETARY ASSESSMENT

* Consultation procedure

for the Committee on Fisheries on the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Protocol (2025–2029) on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe and the European Community

*** Consent procedure

***I Ordinary legislative procedure (first reading)

***II Ordinary legislative procedure (second reading)

***III Ordinary legislative procedure (third reading)

(The type of procedure depends on the legal basis proposed by the draft act.)

DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION

on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe and the European Community (2025–2029)

(11609/2025 – C100246/2025 – 2025/0202(NLE))

(Consent)

– having regard to the draft Council decision (11609/2025),

– having regard to the draft Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe and the European Community (2025–2029) (11606/2025),

– having regard to the request for consent submitted by the Council in accordance with Articles 43(2) and Article 218(6), second subparagraph, point (a)(v), of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (C100246/2025),

– having regard to the budgetary assessment by the Committee on Budgets,

– having regard to Rule 107(1) and (4), Rule 117(7) and Rule 58 of its Rules of Procedure,

– having regard to the opinion of the Committee on Development,

– having regard to the recommendation of the Committee on Fisheries (A10-0096/2026),

1. Gives its consent to the conclusion of the protocol;

2. Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States and of São Tomé and Príncipe.

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Introduction

The Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe is an island country in the Gulf of Guinea/ West Africa. With a population of about 200.000, it is one of the smallest countries in Africa.

Fishing is the main activity and source of income for coastal communities in São Tomé and Príncipe. Santomean fishing is essentially small-scale. Industrial fishing in the Santomean exclusive economic zone (EEZ) takes place by EU and non-EU tuna vessels. The Santomean fishing zone is an attractive zone as it is on the route of migration of highly migratory species from the Atlantic. A total of 37 tuna vessels have taken out fishing licences on average per year over the period 2020 - 2023, 25 of which fly the flag of an EU Member State.

The fisheries sector in São Tomé and Príncipe faces challenges in governance, resource management, and sectoral support utilisation under the FPA with the European Union. For example, there are problems regarding compliance and reporting obligations under ICCAT or regarding the employment of São Toméan seamen and observers on EU vessels. Economic benefits are limited for São Tomé and Príncipe since the EU fleet relies on ports in neighbouring countries for landing and processing catches.

The new Protocol

The Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA) between the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe and the European Community entered into force on 29 August 2011 and has since been tacitly renewed.

The previous five-year Protocol on the implementation of the FPA started to apply on 19 December 2019 and expired on 18 December 2024.

Based on Council Decision of 10 September 2024 authorising the opening of negotiations on behalf of the European Union on a new implementing protocol to the FPA with São Tomé and Príncipe, the Commission conducted negotiations with the government of São Tomé and Príncipe, which led to the new Protocol 2025-2029.

The new Protocol was initialled by the negotiators on 9 April 2025 and signed by the parties on 6 October 2025.

The new Protocol covers a period of four years from the date of its provisional application, i.e. the date on which it was signed by the parties (6 October 2025).

The Protocol will enter into force once ratification will have been completed by both parties.

On the European side, this requires the consent of the European Parliament.

The new Protocol provides fishing opportunities for Union vessels in São Tomé and Príncipe waters, based on best scientific advice and following the recommendations of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). This Protocol aims at providing un updated framework, notably by taking into account the priorities of the reformed Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and international standards.

Fishing opportunities

The new Protocol allows European vessels to fish around 6,500 tonnes of tuna and other migratory species per year in the waters of São Tomé and Príncipe, in accordance with the relevant resolutions of ICCAT and within the limits set by the legislation of São Tomé and Príncipe.

The Protocol provides fishing opportunities for 26 tuna seiners (15 for Spain, 11 for France) and 9 surface longliners (7 for Spain and 2 for Portugal).

Financial contribution

The EU’s annual financial contribution amounts to €825,000, which includes €325,000 for access to fisheries resources (corresponding to a reference tonnage of 6,500 tonnes per year for highly migratory species) and €500,000 to strengthen São Tomé and Príncipe’s capacity in terms of sustainable fisheries management, control and surveillance, as well as support for small-scale fishing and local communities.

Conclusion

The new Protocol enhances cooperation between the EU and São Tomé and Príncipe, and it promotes the development of sustainable fisheries policy.

From the perspective of the EU, the new Protocol secures continued access to fishing areas for the EU fleet, as the current Agreement contains a clause excluding fishing activity not taking place in the framework defined by a protocol, predominantly benefiting Spanish, French and Portuguese operators.

From the perspective of São Tomé and Príncipe, the sectoral support available will help the country in the context of its national fisheries strategy, including the fight against IUU fishing, while promoting decent working conditions for fishing activities.

It follows that this Protocol is in the interest of both Parties.

ANNEX: DECLARATION OF INPUT

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.

20.11.2025

BUDGETARY ASSESSMENT OF THE COMMITTEE ON BUDGETS

for the Committee on Fisheries

on the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Protocol (2025–2029) on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe and the European Community

(COM(2025)0370 – C100246/2025 – 2025/0202(NLE))

Rapporteur for budgetary assessment: Bogdan Rzońca

The Committee on Budgets has carried out a budgetary assessment of the proposal under Rule 58 of the Rules of Procedure and has reached the following conclusions:

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2.3.2026

OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON DEVELOPMENT

for the Committee on Fisheries

on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe and the European Community (2025–2029)

(11609/2025 – C100246/2025 – 2025/0202(NLE))

Rapporteur for opinion: Małgorzata Gosiewska

SHORT JUSTIFICATION

A first fisheries agreement between the European Union and the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe became operative in 1985. The latest Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA) between the EU and São Tomé and Príncipe entered into force on 29 August 2011 and is tacitly renewable for additional four-year periods. It remains in force but requires a Protocol for implementation, the previous one having expired on 18 December 2024.

The European Commission negotiated a new Protocol with the government of São Tomé and Príncipe, concluded on 9 April 2025 with the initialling of the agreement. The Protocol was formally signed on 6 October 2025 and extends over a four-year period from the date of signature, covering the period 2025–2029. The implementing Protocol sets conditions for EU fishing activities and contributions to the sustainable development of São Tomé and Príncipe's fisheries sector.

The World Bank classifies São Tomé and Príncipe as a lower-middle-income country, and the country ranks 141st out of 193 countries on the Human Development Index (HDI). With 15.7% of its population living below the international poverty line, São Tomé and Príncipe graduated from the United Nations’ Least Developed Country (LDC) category in December 2024.

The fisheries sector is central to São Tomé and Príncipe’s economy and a vital source of livelihood for coastal communities, employing an estimated 4 300 fishers and 2 300 fish traders, and provides employment for an estimated 2800 female fish mongers (out of a total population of 240 000). With aquatic foods providing more than half of the population’s protein intake, fish plays a crucial role in national food security. The country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) covers around 160 000 km², roughly 160 times the size of its land area, and its potential annual catch capacity is estimated at about 30 000 tons.

The FPA, together with the Protocol, grants fishing opportunities to EU vessels from Spain, Portugal and France in São Tomé and Príncipe’s EEZ within the limits of the available surplus and in exchange for financial compensation. The provisions of the new Protocol are supposed to reinforce ocean governance and ensure better working conditions for fishers employed on EU vessels. The EU and São Tomé and Príncipe agreed to cooperate on the sustainability of fish stocks by increasing scientific knowledge and boosting capacity of local administrations to manage fisheries resources.

The Protocol regulates vessel licensing and fees and compliance with national and international obligations, setting conditions for EU vessels’ fishing activities in the EEZ. It also includes a commitment to respect the working conditions established by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), as well as by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

Additionally, the Protocol aims to enhance the sustainable management of fishery resources and the sustainable development of the sector. To this end, a sector support programme is established, focusing on (a) capacity support for monitoring, control and surveillance of fishing activities, with measures aimed at deterring and sanctioning infringements relating to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing; (b) scientific assessment of the fishery resources of São Tomé and Príncipe and management measures based on scientific advice; and (c) support for improving the value chains for fishery products, including by supporting fishing communities, in particular through support for employment and vocational training, with a particular focus on women and young people.

With a total financial commitment of EUR 3.3 million over four years (EUR 825 000 annually) and a cap of 35 EU fishing vessels, the Agreement is modest in scale compared to others, such as the EU–Mauritania Agreement, which exceeds EUR 60 million per year. EUR 500 000 per year is allocated to support the implementation of São Tomé and Príncipe’s sectoral fisheries policy, while EUR 325 000 is paid annually for access, corresponding to a reference tonnage of 6 500 tonnes per year. EU vessel operators also pay fees, including a minimum annual fee per vessel and EUR 85 per tonne caught.

For the EU, the renewed fisheries cooperation with São Tomé and Príncipe is important given the country’s vast Exclusive Economic Zone, and its location in highly productive tuna migration corridors. For São Tomé and Príncipe, the Protocol reinforces a shared commitment to sustainable ocean governance, and provides resources to strengthen fisheries management, to improve monitoring and surveillance capacities, and to contribute to the development of artisanal fisheries and coastal communities.

For these reasons, the rapporteur recommends that the European Parliament gives its consent to the new Protocol. It is well-balanced, aligns with EU Member States’ priorities, promotes responsible and sustainable fisheries resource exploitation, and supports São Tomé and Príncipe’s national fisheries policy. The ex-post evaluation of the Protocol implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement for the period 2019–2024 shows that the Protocol has generally achieved its main objectives, and the ex-ante evaluation of the new Protocol confirms benefits for both parties.

*******

The Committee on Development calls on the Committee on Fisheries, as the committee responsible, to recommend approval of the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Protocol implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe and the European Community (2025–2029).

ANNEX: DECLARATION OF INPUT

The rapporteur for opinion declares under her exclusive responsibility that she did not include in her opinion 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.

PROCEDURE – COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION

Title

Conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe and the European Community (2025–2029)

References

11609/2025 – C10-0246/2025 – 2025/0202(NLE)

Committee(s) responsible

Date announced in plenary

PECH

12.11.2025

Opinion by

Date announced in plenary

DEVE

12.11.2025

Rapporteur for the opinion

Date appointed

Małgorzata Gosiewska

14.11.2025

Date adopted

24.2.2026

Result of final vote

+:

–:

0:

18

0

1

FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL BY THE COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION

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PROCEDURE – COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE

Title

Conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe and the European Community (2025–2029)

References

11609/2025 – C10-0246/2025 – 2025/0202(NLE)

Date of consultation or request for consent

8.10.2025

Committee(s) responsible

Date announced in plenary

PECH

12.11.2025

Committees asked for opinions

Date announced in plenary

DEVE

12.11.2025

BUDG

12.11.2025

Rapporteurs

Date appointed

Nora Junco García

21.1.2026

Budgetary assessment

Date of budgetary assessment

BUDG

20.11.2025

Discussed in committee

25.2.2026

Date adopted

15.4.2026

Result of final vote

+:

–:

0:

23

3

1

Date tabled

16.4.2026

FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL BY THE COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE

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