EU approves new tuna fishing agreement with Cabo Verde

EUROPE – The European Union has approved an updated fisheries agreement that will allow 56 EU vessels to fish in Cabo Verde’s waters for the next five years.

The deal grants fishing rights to vessels from Spain, France, and Portugal, permitting them to catch up to 7,000 tonnes of tuna and related species annually until 2029.

In return, the EU will provide Cabo Verde with an annual financial package of approximately US$844,000, which includes US$378,000 for access rights and US$465,000 for fisheries policy and the blue economy.

On top of this contribution, vessel owners will pay additional fishing fees, which could bring in nearly US$650,000 per year.

The agreement covers 24 freezer tuna seiners, 10 pole-and-line vessels, and 22 surface longliners, all targeting highly migratory species such as tuna and sharks.

It also includes measures aimed at strengthening fisheries management and monitoring, with a focus on preventing illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Regulations under the deal will enhance vessel tracking, improve the management of fishing permits, and introduce stricter measures for shark stocks.

The European Parliament gave its consent to the agreement with 507 votes in favor, 76 against, and 16 abstentions.

Rapporteur Paulo do Nascimento Cabral stated that the agreement balances economic benefits with environmental responsibility by supporting Cabo Verde’s fishing industry while ensuring sustainability and fair working conditions.

Background and previous agreements

The EU has maintained a fisheries agreement with Cabo Verde since 1990, with the current framework established in 2007 and renewed every five years.

This latest protocol has been provisionally in place since July 23, 2024, and aligns with international conservation rules set by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT).

Cabo Verde is part of a broader network of EU fisheries agreements with West African coastal nations, including Morocco, Mauritania, and Guinea-Bissau.

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