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

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SHORT JUSTIFICATION

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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).

ANNEX: DECLARATION OF INPUT

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.

PROCEDURE – COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION

Title

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

References

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

Committee(s) responsible

Date announced in plenary

PECH

7.7.2025

Opinion by

Date announced in plenary

DEVE

7.7.2025

Rapporteur for the opinion

Date appointed

Tiago Moreira de Sá

7.7.2025

Date adopted

1.9.2025

Result of final vote

+:

–:

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

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