The European Union and São Tomé and Príncipe have renewed their long-standing 40-year partnership on fisheries by signing a new four-year protocol. This agreement allows EU vessels to fish up to 6,500 tonnes of tuna and other migratory species annually in the waters of São Tomé and Príncipe. The protocol also includes increased EU financial support aimed at promoting sustainable development within the country’s fisheries sector.
Over the four-year period, the EU will contribute €3.3 million, averaging €825,000 per year. Of this, €500,000 annually will specifically support sustainable fisheries management, control and surveillance capacities, artisanal fishing, and local fishing communities. In addition to this funding, EU shipowners will pay São Tomé and Príncipe a licensing and catch fee of €85 per tonne of fish caught in the country’s waters.
The agreement emphasizes good ocean governance, job creation, and improved working conditions for fishers employed on EU vessels. Both parties committed to collaborating on the sustainability of fish stocks, enhancing scientific knowledge, and strengthening the capacity of local administrations to manage fisheries resources effectively.
The protocol also mandates adherence to recommendations and resolutions of Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) and other international agreements related to sustainable fisheries. Furthermore, it includes a commitment to uphold labor standards and working conditions established by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
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