What changed

DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION

SHORT JUSTIFICATION

onThe theFisheries draftPartnership CouncilAgreement decisionbetween onthe European Community and the conclusion,Republic of Cabo Verde (FPA) entered into force on behalf30 ofMarch the2007 Europeanfor Union,a period of the5 Protocolyears, (2024-2029)being implementingtacitly therenewable. FisheriesA Partnershipprevious Agreement5-year betweenProtocol to the EuropeanFPA Communityentered into force on 20 May 2019 and theexpired Republicon of19 CaboMay Verde2024.

(11267/2024 – C100087/2024 – 2024/0133(NLE))

With a view to adopt a new Protocol to the FPA, the European Commission conducted negotiations with the Republic of Cabo Verde. Following these negotiations, a new Protocol was initialled on 15 April 2024. This new Protocol covers a period of five years, allowing Union vessels to access Cabo Verde’s fishing zone and to fish for tuna and associated species there, in compliance with the measures adopted by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). The aim is also to enhance cooperation between the EU and Cabo Verde, thereby creating a partnership framework within which to develop a sustainable fisheries policy and the responsible exploitation of fishery resources in Cabo Verde’s waters, in the interest of both Parties.

(Consent)

The EU’s financial contribution allocated to the Protocol is EUR 780 000 per year. This total is broken down into an annual amount of EUR 350 000 for access to fishery resources and another EUR 430 000 for the development of Cabo Verde’s sectoral fisheries policy, which represents an increase for sectoral support in comparison with the previous protocol.

The European Parliament,

Cabo Verde’s economy heavily relies on fisheries, which plays a crucial role in food security and employment for local communities. Artisanal fishing is vital for the livelihoods of many coastal communities. However, commercial fishing operations are also prominent targeting high-value species like tuna, which can affect local resources. Challenges such as overfishing, illegal fishing and climate change pose significant threats to fish stocks, marine ecosystems, and the livelihoods of local communities that depend on fishing. Furthermore, while women play a vital role in the fisheries sector of Cabo Verde, social norms and institutional barriers reinforce their marginalisation especially in rural areas. Overall, fisheries in Cabo Verde are a vital part of the economy and culture, and, therefore, there is a pressing need for sustainable management to ensure the long-term health of marine ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.

– having regard to the draft Council decision (11267/2024),

Your rapporteur takes the view that the Protocol promotes the responsible and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources and the development of the national fisheries policy in Cabo Verde and is in the interest of both Parties. For this reason, your rapporteur is proposing that the protocol be approved.

– having regard to the draft agreement (11026/2024),

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– having regard to the request for consent submitted by the Council in accordance with Article 43(2) and Article 218(6), second subparagraph, point (a)(v), and Article 218(7), of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (C100087/2024),

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 European Union, of the Protocol implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cabo Verde (2024-2029).

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

ANNEX: ENTITIES OR PERSONS FROM WHOM THE RAPPORTEUR HAS RECEIVED INPUT

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

The rapporteur for the opinion declares under her exclusive responsibility that she did not receive input from any entity or person to be mentioned in this Annex pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure.

– having regard to the opinionPROCEDURE of– theCOMMITTEE CommitteeASKED onFOR Development,OPINION

– having regard to the recommendation of the Committee on Fisheries (A100000/2024),

FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL IN COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION

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

2. Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States and of the Republic of Cabo Verde.

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

The Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA) between the European Community and the Republic of Cabo Verde (FPA) offers fishing opportunities for 56 EU vessels for tuna and related species in Cabo Verde’s waters.

The new agreement covers a period of five years and will offer EU vessels the possibility to fish 7 000 tonnes of tuna and tuna-like species in Cabo Verde’s waters. In return, the EU will pay Cabo Verde a financial contribution of 780 000€ per year (EUR 3 900 000 for the entire duration of the Protocol), from which 350 000€ is related to a reference tonnage of 7 000 tonnes, and 430 000€ to support for developing Cabo Verde’s sectoral fisheries policy.

The rapporteur highlights the strategic importance of Cabo Verde, as a relevant player in the Atlantic Ocean, remembering that the EU and Cabo Verde have developed a cooperative relationship for more than four decades, with respect and political dialogue. Currently, Cabo Verde and the EU share common values such as democracy, respect for Human Rights and the Rule of Law, the promotion of multilateralism, and Cabo Verde is part of a regional group, called Macaronesia, which includes the Azores, Madeira, Canaries and Cabo Verde. The evolution of relations in these fields led to the creation of the EU-Cabo Verde Special Partnership in 2007, which continues to evolve.

The rapporteur stresses the importance of the EU-Cabo Verde SFPA for the EU fleet fishing for tuna and related species in the Atlantic Ocean, following strict EU criteria with regard to fisheries management, resource conservation and environmental sustainability, while at the same time strictly respecting the human rights and contributing for local socioeconomic development.

The rapporteur considers that this is a balanced Agreement, in which the remuneration for the fishing opportunities is lower than the EU contribution to support the development of Cabo Verde fisheries sector. This Protocol puts special emphasis on promoting decent working conditions for fishing activity, scientific capacity building, observation and management of the marine environment and marine protected areas. It promotes sustainable fisheries management, fisheries control and the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU). It also contains new provisions to improve vessel monitoring, the management of fishing authorizations and enhanced management measures for shark stocks. The Protocol responds to Cabo Verde’s desire to strengthen the industrialization and competitiveness of its fishing sector.

In accordance with Article 218(6) TFEU, the consent of the European Parliament is required in order for the Council to adopt a decision on the conclusion of the Agreement.

In the light of the above, the Rapporteur recommends to Parliament to give its consent to the conclusion of the Agreement.