The European Parliament adopted by 510 votes to 127, with 51 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cape Verde (2019-2024).

In line with the recommendation of the Committee on Fisheries, the European Parliament gave its consent to the conclusion of the Protocol. It also adopted a non-legislative resolution on the draft Council Decision.

The Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement concluded in 2006 between the European Union and Cape Verde is a tuna agreement. The previous Protocol concluded for a period of 4 years expired in December 2018.

Like the previous Protocol, the new Protocol for 2019-2024 must comply with the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) Regulation, which places emphasis on sustainable fisheries and good governance in particular, while recognising the importance of policy consistency between the CFP and the EU’s goals with regard to both development cooperation and sustainable development.

The Protocol provides fishing opportunities in the following categories: (i) 28 freezer tuna seiners; (ii) 27 surface longliners; (iii) 14 pole-and-line tuna vessels.

The financial contribution allocated to the new Protocol amounts to EUR 750 000 per year. This total amount is divided into an annual amount of EUR 400 000 for access to the fishing zone (with a reference tonnage of 8 000 tonnes per year) and EUR 350 000 for the implementation of the national strategy for fisheries and the blue economy.

As regards sectoral support, this amount is higher than under the previous Protocol, in return for a 60% increase in the reference tonnage.

PURPOSE: to conclude the Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cape Verde (2019-2024).

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.

BACKGROUND: the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cape Verde entered into force on 30 March 2007. The current Protocol to the Agreement entered into force on 23 December 2014 and expires on 22 December 2018.

The Commission has negotiated, on behalf of the European Union, a new Protocol on the implementation of the Agreement. At the end of the negotiations, the Protocol was initialled on 12 October 2018.

The Protocol has been applied on a provisional basis from the date of its signature. It must now be approved on behalf of the Union.

CONTENT: the purpose of the draft Council Decision is to approve, on behalf of the Union, the Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cape Verde (2019-2024).

The objective of the Protocol is to enable the Union and the Republic of Cape Verde to work more closely on promoting a sustainable fisheries policy, sound exploitation of fisheries resources in Cape Verde waters, and efforts by Cape Verde to develop a blue economy.

The Agreement establishes the Joint Committee responsible for monitoring its implementation. Furthermore, in accordance with the Protocol, the Joint Committee may adopt certain modifications to the Protocol. In order to facilitate the approval of such amendments, the Commission should be authorised, subject to specific substantive and procedural conditions, to approve them on behalf of the Union under a simplified procedure.

The Union position on the modifications to the Protocol should be established by the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the Governments of the Member States. The proposed amendments will be accepted unless a blocking minority of the Member States.

The position to be adopted by the Union in the Joint Committee on other matters should be determined in accordance with the Treaties and established forms of practice.

Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cape Verde (2019-2024).

The new Protocol provides fishing opportunities for EU vessels in Cape Verdean waters, based on the best available scientific advice and in compliance with the recommendations of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). It shall enable the European Union and the Republic of Cape Verde to work more closely together to promote the responsible exploitation of fisheries resources in Cape Verde's waters and to support Cape Verde's efforts to develop its blue economy, in the interest of both sides.

Fishing opportunities

The fishing opportunities granted to Union vessels shall be as follows:

- freezer tuna seiners: 28 vessels;

- pole-and-line tuna vessels: 14 vessels;

- surface longliners: 27 vessels.

Financial contribution

The total value of this Protocol is estimated at EUR 3 750 000.

The annual amount of the financial contribution is EUR 750 000, broken down as follows:

- an annual amount as financial compensation for access to resources of EUR 400 000 per year, equivalent to a reference tonnage of 8 000 tonnes per year;

- support for the development of the sectoral policy on fisheries and the blue economy of Cabo Verde for an amount of EUR 350 000 per year for the duration of the Protocol. This support meets the objectives of the national policy for the sustainable management of Cabo Verde's continental and marine fisheries resources for the duration of the Protocol.

Sectoral support

Sectoral support, under this Protocol, shall contribute to the implementation of the national strategy for fisheries and the blue economy. Its aim is the sustainable management of fisheries resources and the development of the sector by, in particular:

- strengthening the monitoring, control and surveillance of fisheries activities;

- strengthening scientific knowledge of fisheries resources;

- supporting coastal communities (fishing activities, training, employment, the safety of fishermen and economic development);

- strengthening international cooperation;

- supporting the blue economy and developing aquaculture.

The Parties must agree, within the Joint Committee provided for in the Agreement, no later than three months after the entry into force of the Protocol, on a multiannual sectoral programme and its implementing rules. Any proposed changes to the annual or multiannual sectoral programme shall be approved by the Joint Committee, where appropriate by exchange of letters.

The new Protocol covers a period of 5 years from the date of its provisional application, i.e. from the date of its signature.

PURPOSE: to conclude the Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cape Verde (2019-2024).

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.

BACKGROUND: the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cape Verde entered into force on 30 March 2007. The current Protocol to the Agreement entered into force on 23 December 2014 and expires on 22 December 2018.

The Commission has negotiated, on behalf of the European Union, a new Protocol on the implementation of the Agreement. At the end of the negotiations, the Protocol was initialled on 12 October 2018.

The Protocol has been applied on a provisional basis from the date of its signature. It must now be approved on behalf of the Union.

CONTENT: the purpose of the draft Council Decision is to approve, on behalf of the Union, the Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cape Verde (2019-2024).

The objective of the Protocol is to enable the Union and the Republic of Cape Verde to work more closely on promoting a sustainable fisheries policy, sound exploitation of fisheries resources in Cape Verde waters, and efforts by Cape Verde to develop a blue economy.

The Agreement establishes the Joint Committee responsible for monitoring its implementation. Furthermore, in accordance with the Protocol, the Joint Committee may adopt certain modifications to the Protocol. In order to facilitate the approval of such amendments, the Commission should be authorised, subject to specific substantive and procedural conditions, to approve them on behalf of the Union under a simplified procedure.

The Union position on the modifications to the Protocol should be established by the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the Governments of the Member States. The proposed amendments will be accepted unless a blocking minority of the Member States.

The position to be adopted by the Union in the Joint Committee on other matters should be determined in accordance with the Treaties and established forms of practice.

PURPOSE: signature, on behalf of the Union, and provisional application of the Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cape Verde (2019-2024).

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: on 19 December 2006, the Council adopted Regulation (EC) No 2027/2006 on the conclusion of a Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cape Verde, which entered into force on 30 March 2007, was subsequently tacitly renewed and which remains in force. The last Protocol to the agreement expired on 22 December 2018.

The Commission has negotiated, on behalf of the European Union, a new Protocol on the implementation of the Agreement. At the end of the negotiations, the Protocol was initialled on 12 October 2018.

It is appropriate to authorise the signature of the Protocol, subject to its conclusion at a later date. In order to ensure an expeditious start to fishing activities of Union vessels, the Protocol should be applied provisionally upon its signature, pending its entry into force.

CONTENT: the Commission proposes that the Council decide to approve the signature, on behalf of the European Union, of the Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cape Verde (2019-2024), subject to its conclusion.

The objective of the Protocol is to enable the European Union and the Republic of Cabo Verde to work more closely together to promote a sustainable fisheries policy, the responsible exploitation of fisheries resources in Cabo Verde waters and Cabo Verde's efforts to develop a blue economy. The Protocol provides for fishing opportunities in the following categories:

- 28 freezer tuna seiners;

- 27 surface longliners;

- 14 pole-and-line tuna vessels.

The European Union's annual financial contribution amounts to EUR 750 000, based on:

- a reference tonnage of 8 000 tonnes per year, for which an amount linked to access has been set at EUR 400 000 per year for the entire duration of the Protocol;

- support for the development of the sectoral fisheries policy and the blue economy of Cabo Verde for an amount of EUR 350 000 per year for the entire duration of the Protocol. This support meets the objectives of Cabo Verde's national policy on the sustainable management of its continental and maritime fishery resources for the entire duration of the Protocol.

The negotiation of a new protocol to the Fisheries Partnership Agreement with Cabo Verde is part of the EU's external action towards ACP countries, and takes into account in particular the Union's objectives of respect for democratic principles and human rights.

The Protocol covers a period of five years from the date of its provisional application, i.e. from the date of its signature.