Explanatory Memorandum to COM(2019)171 - Conclusion of the Protocol on the implementation of the fisheries agreement with Guinea-Bissau (2019-2024) - Main contents
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This page contains a limited version of this dossier in the EU Monitor.
| dossier | COM(2019)171 - Conclusion of the Protocol on the implementation of the fisheries agreement with Guinea-Bissau (2019-2024). |
|---|---|
| source | COM(2019)171  |
| date | 10-04-2019 |
1. CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL
• Reasons for and objectives of the proposal
The Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Guinea-Bissau entered into force on 15 April 2008. The previous Protocol to the Agreement entered into force on 24 November 2014 and expired on 23 November 2017.
On the basis of the relevant negotiating directives 1 , the Commission conducted negotiations with the Government of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau with a view to concluding a new protocol to the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Guinea-Bissau 2 . Following these negotiations, a new Protocol was initialled on 15 November 2018. The Protocol covers a period of five years from the date of its provisional application, i.e. from the date on which it was signed, as stated in Article 16 thereof.
• Consistency with existing provisions in the policy area
In accordance with the priorities of the fisheries policy reform 3 , the new Protocol provides fishing opportunities for Union vessels in Guinea-Bissau waters, on the basis of the best available scientific advice and following the recommendations of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). This new Protocol takes into account the results of an evaluation of the previous Protocol (2014-2017) and of a forward-looking assessment of whether a new Protocol should be concluded. Both were carried out by external experts. The Protocol will also enable the European Union and the Republic of Guinea-Bissau to work more closely on promoting sound exploitation of fishery resources in Guinea-Bissau waters and to support efforts by Guinea-Bissau to develop its blue economy, in the interests of both parties.
The Protocol provides for fishing opportunities in the following categories:
(a)shrimp freezer trawlers;
(b)fin-fish and cephalopod freezer trawlers;
(c)small pelagic trawlers;
(d)tuna freezer seiners and longliners;
(e)pole-and-line tuna vessels.
For the first three categories, fishing opportunities are expressed in terms of fishing effort (GRT) for the first two years and in terms of catch limit (TAC) for the last three years.
• Consistency with other Union policies
The negotiation of a new protocol to the Fisheries Partnership Agreement with Guinea-Bissau forms part of the Union’s external action in relation to ACP countries and takes into account, in particular, Union objectives on respecting democratic principles and human rights.
2. LEGAL BASIS, SUBSIDIARITY AND PROPORTIONALITY
• Legal basis
The legal basis chosen is the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, of which Article 43(2) establishes the Common Fisheries Policy and Article 218(6)(a)(v) the relevant stage of the procedure for the negotiation and conclusion of agreements between the Union and third countries.
• Subsidiarity (for non-exclusive competence)
The proposal falls under the exclusive competence of the European Union.
• Proportionality
The proposal is proportionate to the objective of establishing a legal, environmental, economic and social governance framework for fishing activities carried out by Union vessels in third country waters, as set out in Article 31 of the Regulation establishing the Common Fisheries Policy. It complies with those provisions as well as with those on financial assistance to third countries laid down in Article 32 of that Regulation.
3. RESULTS OF EX POST EVALUATIONS, STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATIONS AND IMPACT ASSESSMENTS
• Ex post evaluations/fitness checks of existing legislation
In 2016, the Commission carried out an ex post evaluation of the then Protocol to the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and Guinea-Bissau, and an ex ante evaluation of a possible renewal of the Protocol. The conclusions of the evaluation are presented in a separate working document 4 .
The evaluation report concluded that the EU tuna fishing sector has a strong interest in fishing in Guinea-Bissau and that a renewal of the Protocol would help strengthen monitoring, control and surveillance and contribute to improved fisheries governance in the region.
• Consultation of interested parties
The Member States, industry representatives and international civil society organisations, as well as Guinea-Bissau’s fisheries administration and civil society representatives, were consulted as part of the evaluation. Consultations also took place in the framework of the Long Distance Advisory Council.
• Collection and use of expertise
The Commission used an independent consultant for the ex post and ex ante evaluations, in accordance with the provisions of Article 31(10) of the Regulation establishing the Common Fisheries Policy.
4. BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS
The annual financial contribution from the European Union is EUR 15 600 000, based on:
(a) an annual amount for access to fishery resources for the categories provided for in the Protocol, set at EUR 11 600 000 per year for the entire duration of the Protocol;
(b) support for the development of the sectoral fisheries policy and the blue economy of Guinea-Bissau for an amount of EUR 4 000 000 per year for the entire duration of the Protocol. This support meets the objectives of Guinea-Bissau’s national policy on the sustainable management of its continental and maritime fishery resources for the entire duration of the Protocol.
The annual amount for commitment and payment appropriations is established during the annual budgetary procedure, including for the reserve line for protocols not having entered into force at the beginning of the year 5 .