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DRAFT RECOMMENDATION (09587/2026 – C100195/2026 – 2026/0107(NLE))

On the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Protocol on the implementation of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Seychelles (2026-2030)

PECH-PR-796228

Committee on Fisheries · Rapporteur: Emma Ytterell

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This is the rapporteur's draft report on the draft Council decision to conclude the 2026-2030 Protocol implementing the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the EU and Seychelles. The draft resolution gives Parliament's consent to the conclusion of the protocol. The protocol grants EU vessels access to Seychelles' waters for four years to catch 55,000 tonnes of tuna and other migratory species annually, with fishing opportunities for up to 30 tuna purse seiners and 8 surface longliners. The EU's annual financial contribution is €5,750,000, including €2,750,000 for access to fisheries resources and €3,000,000 for sectorial support. The protocol includes a mid-term review, new elements on transparency of beneficial owners, better operability with UN/FLUX, improved conditions for fishers and a trainee initiative with the Seychelles Maritime Academy. The rapporteur calls on the Commission to be proactive in starting negotiations for a new protocol to avoid a gap when this one ends.

Committee position. The rapporteur proposes that Parliament give its consent to the conclusion of the protocol. She highlights the protocol's fishing opportunities, financial contribution and sectorial support, and asks the Commission to start negotiations for a new protocol early to avoid a gap.

Key points

  1. Parliament gives its consent to the conclusion of the protocol.
  2. The protocol covers a period of four years from its signature on 27 July 2026, with a mid-term review allowing the parties to assess its functioning and effectiveness.
  3. New elements include enhanced transparency on beneficial owners, better operability with UN/FLUX in relation to among others VMS, improved conditions for fishers and a trainee initiative with the Seychelles Maritime Academy.
  4. Sectorial support will focus more on socio-economic considerations in Seychelles.
  5. EU vessels may catch 55,000 tonnes of tuna and other migratory species annually, with opportunities for up to 30 tuna purse seiners (17 Spain, 12 France, 1 Italy) and 8 surface longliners (4 France, 2 Spain, 2 Portugal).
  6. The EU's annual financial contribution is €5,750,000: €2,750,000 for access to fisheries resources corresponding to a reference tonnage of 55,000 tonnes per year, and €3,000,000 for sectorial support.
  7. Operators pay an annual amount for their vessels to access the Seychelles fishing zone, comprising advance payments, additional fees per tonne of fish caught and a specific fee for environmental management and observation of marine ecosystems.
  8. The protocol aims to enable EU vessels to fish in the Seychelles EEZ and to promote a sustainable fisheries policy, responsible exploitation of resources and decent working conditions in the fishing industry.
  9. The protocol formalises fora for closer cooperation and coordination beyond the strict scope of the SFPA, such as in the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission and under other international agreements.
  10. Sectoral support will assist Seychelles in developing its fisheries sector and governance, including small-scale fisheries and aquaculture, socio-economic aspects, sanitary and quality management, export capacities, monitoring, control and surveillance, scientific cooperation and the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
  11. The rapporteur asks the Commission to be proactive in initiating negotiations for a new protocol, since the current one ends around the same time as the mandate of the current Seychelles government, to avoid a gap as happened this time.

Who is affected

  • EU fishing vessels from Spain, France, Italy and Portugal, which gain access to Seychelles' waters under the protocol.
  • Seychelles, which receives sectorial support for its fisheries sector and governance.
  • Fishers, who benefit from improved conditions and a trainee initiative with the Seychelles Maritime Academy.
  • Vessel operators, who pay annual fees for access to the Seychelles fishing zone.

Figures and deadlines

  • 55,000 tonnes of tuna and other migratory species per year, the catch allowed for EU vessels.
  • 30 tuna purse seiners, the maximum number of EU vessels allowed.
  • 8 surface longliners, the maximum number of EU vessels allowed.
  • €5,750,000, the EU's annual financial contribution.
  • €2,750,000, the annual amount for access to fisheries resources.
  • €3,000,000, the annual amount dedicated to sectorial support.
  • Four years, the duration of the protocol from its signature on 27 July 2026.
  • 23 February 2026, the date the 2020-2026 protocol expires.

Legal basis: 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.