Sustainable fisheries partnership agreements (SFPAs)

Sustainable fisheries partnership agreements (SFPAs) set a benchmark for responsible fisheries management. They allow EU vessels to fish surplus stocks in partner countries' waters while promoting fair rules, scientific oversight, and community empowerment. These agreements focus on protecting the environment, encouraging local development, respecting human rights, and ensuring shared responsibility. All EU vessels must follow the same rules for control and transparency under these agreements. SFPAs are a transparent, coherent, and mutually beneficial tool for fisheries governance.

Goals of SFPAs

• sustainable management of fish resources
• supply of fish to the EU market
• sustainable development of fishing sector in partner countries
• conservation and environmental sustainability

Following UNCLOS rules, SFPAs only target surplus fish stocks, using the best available scientific advice and guided by bilateral joint scientific committees set up under the agreements. 

They aim to conserve resources and ensure environmental sustainability by upholding the laws and core principles of both the EU and partner countries. In return, the EU pays a fee to access the partner country's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). European shipowners also pay partner countries based on fishing licences and catches. The EU additionally offers support to partner countries for sustainable development of the fisheries sector.

Protocols in place

Tuna agreements: Enable EU vessels to catch migrating tuna and tuna-like species along Africa's coasts, through the Indian Ocean, and in the Pacific Ocean.
Mixed agreements: Allow access to various fish stocks in a partner country's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Some protocols may apply provisionally, awaiting ratification and notification. This provisional application allows for the continuation of sustainable fishery management practices until all formalities are completed. 

Dormant agreements

Dormant agreements are fisheries partnerships where agreements exist, but no active protocol is in place. As a result, EU vessels cannot fish in these waters.

Countries with dormant agreements