Council Decision (EU) 2020/985 of 7 July 2020 on the conclusion of the Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe and the European Community

What it is

to conclude, on behalf of the European Union, the Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe and the European Community. 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 Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe and the European Community entered into force on 29 August 20112 and has since been renewed automatically. The previous Protocol to the Agreement, which entered into force on 23 May 2014, expired on 22 May 2018. The evaluation report concluded that the Union’s tuna fishing sector has a strong interest in fishing in São Tomé and Príncipe and that a renewal of the Protocol would help strengthen monitoring, control and surveillance and contribute to improved governance of the fisheries in the region. The European Parliament adopted by 589 votes to 51, with 48 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 Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe and the European Community. In line with the recommendation of the Committee on Fisheries, the European Parliament gave its consent to the conclusion of the Protocol. The Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe and the European Community entered into force on 29 August 2011 and has been tacitly renewed since then. The last Protocol to the Fisheries Agreement between the two Parties, which entered into force on 23 May 2014, expired on 22 May 2018. - provides fishing opportunities for EU vessels in São Tomé and Príncipe waters, based on the best available scientific advice and in line with the recommendations of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT); - shall allow the European Union and São Tomé and Príncipe to cooperate more closely to promote the responsible exploitation of fisheries resources in São Tomé and Príncipe waters and to support São Tomé and Príncipe's efforts to develop its fisheries sector, in the interests of both parties. The Protocol provides for fishing opportunities in the following categories: 28 freezer tuna seiners (16 for Spain and 12 for France) and six surface longliners (five for Spain and one licence for Portugal). The Union's annual financial contribution amounts to EUR 840 000: - a reference tonnage of 8 000 tonnes per year, for which an access related amount has been fixed at EUR 400 000 per year for the duration of the Protocol, and - support for the development of São Tomé and Príncipe's sectoral fisheries policy, amounting to EUR 440 000 per year for the duration of the Protocol.

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