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)

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), and Rule 117(7) 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 (A100000/2025),

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.