The European Union and the Seychelles have concluded negotiations for a new Sustainable Fishing Partnership Agreement (SFPA) and a new Protocol that will strengthen their cooperation in the fisheries field for the next six years, according to Apo group.
As to the press release, the agreement marks a new important milestone of the long-standing bilateral cooperation between the European Union and Seychelles in fisheries and of their commitment in promoting a sustainable use of marine resources. This is the most important tuna agreement in place for the European Union both in financial terms and in terms of fishing opportunities. It will allow the European Union fleet (40 tuna purse-seiners and 8 long-liners) to continue fishing in Seychelles waters for duration of 6 years while continuing to support the sustainable development of the fisheries sector in the Seychelles.
Based on a reference tonnage of 50 000 tonnes, the European Union will provide the Seychelles with an annual financial contribution of 5, 300 000 Euro. A significant part of this contribution, 2 800 000 Eur per year, is specifically earmarked to promote the sustainable management of fisheries in Seychelles, as well as to support the development of small-scale fisheries. For the whole duration of the protocol, the total estimated value, including the European Union ship-owners contribution, amounts to € 58 200 000 Euro, equivalent to 9, 700 000 Euro per year.
The new Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement agreed between the Parties represents a significant step ahead of the spirit and core’s principles of the partnership between the European Union and Seychelles. The new Agreement is based on the principles of the Common Fisheries Policy such as transparency, governance of fishing activities, non-discrimination, respect of the scientific advice and scientific cooperation on data collection and analysis. It also complies with Seychelles’ legislation and the management measures taken in the context of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), of which both Parties are members.
The new Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement will also make it possible to strengthen cooperation and consultations between the Parties in the context of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission and other regional organizations. Cooperation on monitoring, control and surveillance on fishing activities will be further reinforced, also through the possibility of carrying out joint European Union-Seychelles inspections on European Union vessels fishing in Seychelles’ waters.
The Protocol will contribute to the social and economic development of Seychelles by better defining the conditions of Seychelles seamen embarkation on European Union vessels as well as by providing financial support for building the necessary infrastructure dedicated to local fishing activities.
The new 6 years Protocol contains a number of new provisions reinforcing the monitoring of the European Union fleet activities (including through the Electronic Reporting System – ERS and Electronic Monitoring Device. Environmental protection is taken into account through clear provisions on the use and management of fish aggregating devices (FADs) and on support vessels, and the reinforcement of the role of observers. Such provisions take into account the creation of Marine Spatial Planning areas in Seychelles waters.
For the first time, European Union ship owners payments will also include a specific contribution to a dedicated Fund that Seychelles will put in place to improve environmental management and the observations of marine ecosystems in its waters.
The Ethiopian Herald Sunday Edition 3 November 2019
BY MEHARI BEYENE
