What changed

PR_NLE-AP_Agreement

PA_Legapp

Symbols for procedures

SHORT JUSTIFICATION

* Consultation procedure

The Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA) between the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire and the European Community, signed and effective from 18 April 2008, covers six years and is tacitly renewable for additional six-year periods. It remains in force but requires a Protocol for implementation, the previous one having expired on 31 July 2024.

*** Consent procedure

The European Commission negotiated a new Protocol with the government of Côte d’Ivoire, concluding on 21 November 2024 with the initialling of the agreement. The Protocol was formally signed on 6 June 2025 and extends over a four-year period from the date of signature.

***I Ordinary legislative procedure (first reading)

Côte d’Ivoire, a lower-middle-income country and one of West Africa’s most economically dynamic nations, ranks 157th on the Human Development Index. It has shown progress in human development, with a declining proportion of its population living below the national poverty line in recent years.

***II Ordinary legislative procedure (second reading)

Artisanal fisheries are central to Côte d’Ivoire’s fishing sector, accounting for 70% of national production, approximately 100,000 tonnes annually. Fish is a key dietary component, contributing nearly 40% of animal protein consumed by Ivorians. Coastal fisheries also sustain livelihoods, supporting over 70,000 direct jobs and 400,000 indirect jobs.

***III Ordinary legislative procedure (third reading)

The FPA, combined with the new Protocol, enables EU vessels – primarily from Portugal, Spain, and France – to fish for migratory species, notably tuna, in Côte d’Ivoire’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), in exchange for financial compensation. The Protocol ensures compliance with national and international obligations, setting conditions for EU vessels’ fishing activities in the EEZ. Its Annex regulates vessel licensing, fees, and obligations to employ African crew members, alongside adherence to labour standards. It also facilitates real-time data sharing on EU vessel activities between the EU and Ivorian authorities to ensure compliance.

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

Additionally, the Protocol establishes a support programme to: (a) enhance scientific knowledge and capacity regarding fishery resources; (b) manage, develop and promote sustainable small-scale fishing and aquaculture; (c) support local fishing communities, particularly through employment and vocational training, with a focus on women and youth; and (d) strengthen policies for monitoring and inspecting fishing activities, especially to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION

With a total financial commitment of EUR 2.960 million over four years (EUR 740,000 annually) and a cap of 32 EU fishing vessels, this Agreement is modest in scale compared to others, such as the EU-Mauritania Agreement, which exceeds EUR 60 million annually. EUR 435,000 annually is allocated to support Côte d’Ivoire’s fisheries sector, while EUR 305,000 per year is paid to the national budget for fishing rights equivalent to 6,100 tonnes of fish. EU vessel operators also pay fees, including a minimum annual fee per vessel and EUR 80–85 per tonne caught.

on the draft 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 Republic of Côte d’Ivoire and the European Community

For the EU, the renewed fisheries cooperation with Côte d’Ivoire is significant due to the extensive fishing zone under Ivorian jurisdiction, the country’s role in sub-regional ocean governance, and the strategic importance of the port of Abidjan as a logistical hub and major landing and transshipment port. For Côte d’Ivoire, the Protocol reinforces a mutual commitment to strengthen ocean governance, with authorities anticipating that sectoral support will enhance the processing sector, diversify the economy, and promote sustainable development.

(07374/2025 – C100114/2025 – 2025/0046(NLE))

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 Côte d’Ivoire’s national fisheries policy. Both the ex-post evaluation of the 2018–2024 Protocol and the ex-ante evaluation of this new Protocol, conducted by the European Commission, confirm its mutual benefits for both parties.

(Consent)

******

– having regard to the draft Council decision (07374/2025),

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 Republic of Côte d'Ivoire and the European Community (2025–2029).

– having regard to the draft Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire and the European Community (2025–2029) (07042/2025),

ANNEX: DECLARATION OF INPUT

– 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), of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (C100114/2025),

The rapporteur for opinion declares under his exclusive responsibility that he did not include in his 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.

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

PROCEDURE – COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION

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

Title

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

Protocol (2025–2029) on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire and the European Community

– having regard to the recommendation of the Committee on Fisheries (A100000/2025),

References

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

07374/2025 – C10-0114/2025 – 2025/0046(NLE)

2. Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States and of Côte d’Ivoire.

Committee(s) responsible

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Date announced in plenary

General circumstances in Côte d’Ivoire

PECH

Côte d’Ivoire is an economically significant country in West Africa with a population of approximately 29 million. Despite periods of political instability, the country has experienced robust economic growth driven largely by agricultural exports. The fisheries sector, particularly in the port city of Abidjan, is vital for employment and nutritional security, supporting thousands of jobs and contributing substantially to the GDP of the country.

7.7.2025

However, Côte d’Ivoire faces considerable challenges, including unsustainable fishing practices and illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, notably by foreign vessels operating under flags of convenience. The previous EU–Côte d’Ivoire SFPA agreement highlighted critical issues: under-utilization of fishing licenses, inadequate oversight, in some cases poor working conditions for local crews and administrative delays in sectoral support implementation. Additionally, concerns have been raised regarding non-compliance with minimum wage standards for local crew members.

Opinion by

The new SFPA Protocol 2025-2029

Date announced in plenary

The Protocol allocates an annual EU contribution of €740,000, comprising €305,000 for access rights and €435,000 for sectoral support. Additionally, operators will pay €80 per tonne of catch in the first two years, increasing to €85 per tonne in the final two years. The Protocol authorizes 25 tuna purse seiners and 7 surface longliners to fish within Côte d’Ivoire’s Exclusive Economic Zone, with an annual reference catch limit of 6,100 tonnes of tuna.

DEVE

This Protocol aims at sustainability, ensuring responsible exploitation of tuna stocks in accordance with ICCAT regulations and regional fisheries management obligations.

7.7.2025

Benefits to EU Fishers and Food Security

Rapporteur for the opinion

From the perspective of the EU, this agreement presents a strategically significant opportunity. It secures continued access to fishing areas for the EU fleet, predominantly benefiting Spanish, Portuguese and French operators. These fishing opportunities directly support the EU seafood supply chain, ensuring stability and continuity, which reinforces European food security.

Date appointed

From an economical point of view, this renewed Protocol signifies a balanced and mutually advantageous relationship fostering economic resilience both in Côte d’Ivoire and within the EU fishing sector. According to the European Commission, each euro from the EU budget invested in this agreement generates an added value of 7.56 euro.

Tiago Moreira de Sá

Cooperation and EU Interests

7.7.2025

Out of the €740,000 provided annually under the agreement, €435,000 is allocated as sectoral support, specifically earmarked for the development of Côte d’Ivoire’s fisheries infrastructure, governance capacities and scientific expertise. The sectoral support also targets improvements in scientific knowledge, management measures for small-scale fishing and aquaculture and community support through training.

Date adopted

Decisions on the precise allocation of these funds will be approved by a Joint Committee, ensuring transparency and alignment with strategic objectives. A portion of the funds is specifically dedicated to addressing IUU fishing, which contributes to establishing a level playing field for the EU fishers. Moreover, the Protocol promises job creation and improved economic opportunities for local communities through better fisheries management and enhanced infrastructure.

1.9.2025

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

Result of final vote

The rapporteur declares under his exclusive responsibility that he 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.

+:

–:

0:

13

1

6

Members present for the final vote

Barry Andrews, Hildegard Bentele, Udo Bullmann, Niels Geuking, Charles Goerens, György Hölvényi, Marc Jongen, Isabella Lövin, Ana Miranda Paz, Tiago Moreira de Sá, Leire Pajín, Marco Tarquinio

Substitutes present for the final vote

Damien Carême, Ondřej Kolář, Carla Tavares

Members under Rule 216(7) present for the final vote

Marc Angel, Mélanie Disdier, Michalis Hadjipantela, Esther Herranz García, Paulius Saudargas

FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL BY THE COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION

Key to symbols: