In view of the global evaluation of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements (SFPAs) that will be carried out by the Commission in 2021, the author highlights the key points which will need to be assessed from the perspective of the impacts on African coastal communities. The author also suggests essential improvements to be made for the future of SFPAs so that they better respond to the needs of these communities.
This article analyses a series of studies jointly commissioned by CAOPA and CFFA on areas reserved to artisanal fisheries in several African countries. The author sheds light on common challenges for protecting small-scale fishers access and the pressing need for better developing co-management in coastal fisheries, and looks into how can the EU support protection of small-scale fishers’ access to resources.
The Commission’s SFPA evaluation concludes that they are“fit for purpose” and identifies areas for improvement in the implementation of the governance framework. Most of these areas are under the responsibility of the partner country, which suggests that there is a lack of commitment from some partner countries to make these fishing agreements a success.
In a contribution sent to the European Commission, co-signed with 8 other civil society and environmental organisations, we highlight the most important points to be taken into account for the renewal of the protocol, to ensure that the fishing agreement has a positive impact for small-scale coastal fishing communities.
The European Parliament is set to give its consent at the end of May to the new Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) between the EU and Mauritius. This article outlines the challenges that Mauritian artisanal fisheries face and highlights the priorities for sectoral support in the future SFPA protocol to support this sector.
Sponsored by the World Bank, as part of their Liberia Sustainable Management of Fisheries project worth 40 million euros, this research campaign will take advantage of the CRODT research vessel, the ITAF DEME, launched in 2021 with the EU-Senegal Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) sectoral support.
The new EU regional programming for Africa gives fisheries and oceans greater importance. It also focuses more on small-scale fisheries stakeholders and civil society organisations, which is an opportunity for them to make their voice heard. This article covers a summary of the 2014-2020 and the ongoing 2021-2027 programming, calls for more policy coherence and recommends increased participation of stakeholders for greater and efficient use of the EU funding.
In view of the global evaluation of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements (SFPAs) that will be carried out by the Commission in 2021, the author highlights the key points which will need to be assessed from the perspective of the impacts on African coastal communities. The author also suggests essential improvements to be made for the future of SFPAs so that they better respond to the needs of these communities.
As a new round of negotiations between the EU and Mauritania is expected to start soon, this position paper recalls the demands of the Mauritanian artisanal fisheries sector, highlighting technical conditions, such as the access to octopus to be reserved for local artisanal fishers, the zoning for trawlers to be maintained, and landings of small pelagics to be kept. Governance issues are also key, such as transparency, especially regarding the activities of other foreign fleets; and the urgent need for the SFPA to contribute to regional management for shared stocks.
BirdLife Europe and Central Asia, CFFA and WWF publish a joint paper with recommendations to improve the process and the content of evaluations by including the assessment of impacts of the EU fleet on ecosystems, of the transparency and non-discrimination clause, the needs of women, the implementation of the social clause and the contribution to SDGs.
This concept note is part of CFFA's long-term reflection and consultation on the future of the European Union's Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements (SFPAs). We develop some avenues for making SFPAs more effective and sustainable, through a holistic and concerted approach, a financial rebalancing and the implementation of rigorous budgetary tools combined with capacity building.
CFFA and six other European and African organisations and their networks publish a joint paper with recommendations to improve the sustainability of EU-African fishing arrangements, including transparency, compliance with European obligations, increased scientific knowledge and the rethinking of the financial support objectives.
The Government of Madagascar has made it clear that it expects to derive greater benefits from its tuna resources through higher financial compensation. If this compensation is coupled with well-directed sectoral support for local fisheries, this could help develop Madagascar's small-scale fishing sector, which provides thousands of jobs and is essential for food security.
A significant proportion of EU funds used for Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements is earmarked for sectoral support - helping to develop sustainable fisheries in partner countries. However, analysis on the effectiveness of this sectoral support suggest considerable improvements are needed. Here we review the problems and offer our ideas on how the EU can make things better.
Following the round table of Nouakchott last October, and in response to the questions of numerous participants on the lack of transparency regarding the use of the funds from the fisheries agreement, the EU delegation in Mauritania published a note on what had been done with the sectoral support funds between 2008 and 2012. The document establishes a non-exhaustive list of projects that have been realized or that are in course. However, some questions remain on some projects, such as the delay in the delivery of a new patrol boat (5 million euro) paid by the EU Commission. The 2008-2012 Protocol to the EU/Mauritania FPA foresees 65 M€ of sectoral support which the State committed to invest in the development of the fishery sector. The EU allocated on an annual basis the financial compensation, a part of which was saved by the budget authorities for key institutions of the Ministry of Fisheries, in order to conduct their missions (surveillance, research, sanitary, education) and implement plans of action in the form of projects. Regarding the global envelop, the EU has dedicated 1M€ per year to support the National Parc of Banc d’Arguin, one of the main marine protected coastal areas in West Africa. The DSPCM was the main beneficiary institution of sectoral support which financed 100% of its investment budget and part of its operating budget and the State also granted funds to IMROP (scientific research).
Sectoral support allowed financing numerous average size facilities, whereas large projects – main issue of the State’s fisheries national strategy for 2008-2012 and therefore of the EU sectoral support – are still at the stage of execution or implementation.
Sectoral support also allowed to help the setting up of the National office for sanitary inspection of fisheries and aquaculture (ONISPA) by financing its entire investment budget, focused on 2 main activity axis (support to sanitary inspection and support to the accreditation of laboratories to ISO 17025 standard).
Supports in terms of maritime education and employment were fulfilled, as well as supports dedicated to small scale fisheries. Moreover, some protection measures for the marine environment were taken. Institutional capacities of the Ministry of fisheries were also reinforced. At last, the document draws programs set up after the 31/07/2012.
