Development and Environment NGOs wish to see fair and sustainable partnerships between the EU and third countries, that promote the long-term viability of marine eco-systems and fish stocks, securing sustainable livelihoods and food security in third countries.

Therefore, NGOs welcome the communication from the Commission on new Fisheries Partnerships Agreements (FPA), in as much as it proposes to establish responsible fishing on a sustainable basis. This is an important shift from the more commercial approach applied up till now in EU-ACP fisheries relations. Of particular importance is the commitment to conduct sustainability impact assessments as an integral part of the FPAs.

However, the communication fails to take into account the conflict of interests that may exist between the two parties given the potentially contradictory objectives of these FPAs (which on the one hand wish to secure access to third countries waters, whilst on the other wish to promote sustainable fisheries). This needs to be clearly spelt out, and the political decision making process needs to establish how such conflicting interests can be resolved. Provisions also need to be put in place for public consultation both in the EU and in the third country that involve the primary stakeholders (i.e. fishing communities).

Whilst the communication advocates a change of approach, it is short on concrete, operational actions. Our welcome to the communication is therefore cautious, and we reserve judgement until FPAs are put into practice.

FPAs: will they be fair?