Sittings · Compare
What changed
PA_Legapp
PR_NLE-AP_Agreement
Symbols for procedures
* Consultation procedure
*** 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:
A. whereas the previous five-year Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement expired on 18 December 2024;
B. whereas the financial contribution to the new Protocol for the duration of its four-year period is EUR 3 300 000, based on:
(a) an annual amount of EUR 325 000 for access to the fishery resources in São Tomé and Príncipe’s fishing zone, equivalent to a reference tonnage of 6 500 tonnes per year for highly migratory species, set at EUR 1 300 000 for the duration of the Protocol;
(b) support for development of the sectoral fisheries policy of São Tomé and Príncipe, amounting to EUR 500 000 per year, set at EUR 2 000 000 for the duration of the Protocol;
C. whereas the implementation of the Protocol requires the use of operational appropriations, as explained below:
DG MARE
Year 2025
Year 2026
Year 2027
Year 2028
TOTAL
Operational appropriations
Budget line 08 05 01
Commitments
0.825
0.825
0.825
0.825
3.300
Payments
0.825
0.825
0.825
0.825
3.300
EUR million (to three decimal places)
D. whereas on 4 September 2025, Parliament approved DEC 13/2025 submitted by the Commission on 26 August 2025, which makes available the necessary appropriations on operational line 08 05 01 to honour the 2025 financial obligations resulting from the new Protocol;
E. whereas the Protocol with São Tomé and Príncipe has been signed, and it entered into provisional application on 6 October 2025;
1. Notes that the support allocated to the Protocol should meet the objectives of enabling Union vessels to fish in São Tomé and Príncipe’s fishing zone, enabling the Union and São Tomé and Príncipe to work closely together to further promote the development of a sustainable fisheries policy and the responsible exploitation of fishery resources in São Tomé and Príncipe’s fishing zone, and ensuring that the Union and São Tomé and Príncipe cooperate on the sustainable development of the oceans and the protection of the marine environment, and contribute to decent working conditions in the fisheries sector; considers that there should be thorough scrutiny to ensure that the support meets those objectives effectively during the implementation of the Protocol; notes that the support has a direct link to the principles of the Samoa Agreement, reinforcing the Union’s external action towards African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries and taking account, in particular, of the Union’s objectives with regard to democratic principles and human rights, strengthening the EU’s presence in the region and its cooperation with an important geostrategic partner;
2. Recommends that, for future agreements, an impact assessment of the added value and socio-economic benefits derived from the previous agreement be taken into account; considers that this assessment should guide the negotiation and renewal of subsequent agreements to ensure that they align with the objectives of sustainable development and efficient use of the Union’s financial resources;
3. Notes that the transfer of appropriations for an amount of EUR 825 000 in commitment and of EUR 325 000 in payment appropriations, as submitted by the Commission in DEC 13/2025, was approved by the budgetary authority within the time limit provided for in the Financial Regulation; regrets that the decision on this budgetary matter is disconnected from, and has to be taken prior to, the decision on the consent to be given by Parliament to the new Protocol; underlines that decisions on the agreement itself and related budgetary matters are inextricably linked, and fears, therefore, that the disconnect risks de facto pre-empting the decision on consent and creating a fait accompli;
4. Calls on the Commission to explain the need for the provisional application of the Protocol in question;
5. Notes that the 2025 budget as voted on in plenary on 27 November 2024 includes amounts of EUR 90 590 000 in commitment appropriations (CA) and EUR 93 655 000 in payment appropriations (PA) on operational line 08 05 01, as well as amounts of EUR 59 970 000 in CA and EUR 41 620 000 in PA on reserve line 30 02 02; regrets that the amounts are cumulative and not broken down by fisheries agreements, thus making it difficult for Parliament to scrutinise budget implementation in this field;
6. Stresses that the financial programming of line 08 05 01 needs to be sufficient to cater for the financial obligations in the years 2026-2027 subject to the decision of the budgetary authority in the annual budgetary procedures; calls for scrutiny regarding the financial programming of line 08 05 01 in the annual budgets of 2026 and 2027;
7. Concludes that the Committee on Budgets is in a position to advise the Committee on Fisheries, as the committee responsible, to recommend approval of 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.
ANNEX: DECLARATION OF INPUT
The rapporteur for budgetary assessment declares under his exclusive responsibility that he did not include in his budgetary assessment 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 BUDGETARY ASSESSMENT
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
Budgetary assessment by
Date announced in plenary
BUDG
12.11.2025
Rapporteur for budgetary assessment
Date appointed
Bogdan Rzońca
24.9.2025
Discussed in committee
5.11.2025
Date adopted
20.11.2025
Result of final vote
+:
–:
0:
20
4
1
Members present for the final vote
Georgios Aftias, Rasmus Andresen, Isabel Benjumea Benjumea, Tamás Deutsch, Angéline Furet, Jean-Marc Germain, Sandra Gómez López, Andrzej Halicki, Monika Hohlmeier, Alexander Jungbluth, Fabienne Keller, Janusz Lewandowski, Fernando Navarrete Rojas, Danuše Nerudová, Julien Sanchez, Hélder Sousa Silva, Nils Ušakovs, Johan Van Overtveldt, Lucia Yar, Auke Zijlstra
Substitutes present for the final vote
Moritz Körner, Kai Tegethoff
Members under Rule 216(7) present for the final vote
Francisco Assis, Christophe Clergeau, Elisabeth Grossmann
FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL IN COMMITTEE ASKED FOR BUDGETARY ASSESSMENT
Key to symbols:
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
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 4,3004 300 fishers and 2,3002 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 160,000160 000 km², roughly 160 times the size of its land area, and its potential annual catch capacity is estimated at about 30,00030 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 willare 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 work togethercooperate on the sustainability of the fish stocks by increasing scientific knowledge and boosting capacity of local administrations to manage fisheries resources.
The Protocol regulates vessel licensing and fees as well as ensuresand 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 825,000825 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 500,000500 000 per year is allocated to support the implementation of São Tomé and Príncipe’s sectoral fisheries policy, while EUR 325,000325 000 is paid annually for access, corresponding to a reference tonnage of 6,5006 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 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
Key to symbols:
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
Key to symbols: