This agreement is being discussed and will be the first EU-ACP agreement to be to approved by the European Parliament (by the end of this year) since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty. CFFA considers that this is an opportunity to promote a new approach based on the coherence of EU policies, especially with respect to local/regional sustainable fisheries development, with an emphasis on fishing communities rights and social and environmental issues.
Hearing: CFP reform, the external dimension
CFFA was in the European Parliament on June 22, for the public hearing held by the Fisheries Committee on the external dimension of the CFP reform.
Here is CFFA’s presentation, "The future of Fisheries Partnership Agreements in the context of the Common Fisheries Policy reform" and our Mauritanian partner PECHECOPS’ presentation.
Link to the agenda of the hearing
SSNC - Report on EU fisheries agreements in West Africa
Along the West African coasts, EU fishing is contributing to reduced fish stocks and increased difficulties for local fish workers to earn a living.
To Draw the Line, a new report from the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC) blames the Swedish government for playing a notably passive role in the development of, and during negotiations within the Fisheries Partnership Agreements.
The European Commission claims but cannot ensure that the payments for these agreements contribute to sustainable development and the implementation of domestic fisheries policy to the benefit of coastal communities. To Draw the Line report demonstrates that they do not.
Nouakchott Declaration of West Africa artisanal fisheries sector organisations
Assembled in Nouakchott (Mauritania) from 9 to 11 November 2009 for a workshop, organised by the Mauritanian National Fisheries Federation – artisanal section (FNP), the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC) and the Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements (CFFA), on ‘Improving governance in the European Union - West African countries fisheries relations’, the West African artisanal fisheries’ organisations representatives wish to make the following contribution to the European Union consultation on the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy, in particular the reform of its external policy:
About the objectives of the future European external fisheries policy, particularly the future fisheries partnerships between the European Union and West African countries:
• The objective of future EU external fisheries policy should be the promotion of responsible fisheries, in line with the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries recommendations; partnerships should be integrated in the West African countries poverty reductions strategies.
• The future partnerships between West African countries and the European Union must establish a framework for good governance that allows for the transparent and participative design and implementation of national and regional actions and projects, that benefit the coastal communities fishing activities (research, control and surveillance, on-shore infrastructures, etc.) as well as their living and working conditions (health, education programmes, training – in particular for women).
• Through such good governance framework, the West African countries and the European Union should collaborate in order to promote the implementation of international and regional commitments in the countries national legislations, in particular the action plans based on the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (Action Plan for the management of fishing capacity, Action Plan against IUU fishing, etc).
• In the future partnerships, it is indispensible to delink aspects to do with the promotion of sustainable fisheries, including the mobilisation of the necessary funds, from aspects to do with the access conditions applying to the European fleets.
The following aspects must be addressed in the good governance framework:
Access to resources and ecosystem management
The conditions applying to the fleets of European origin must respect the following conditions, based on the development of responsible West African fisheries:
• The limits for the exploitation of the resources and for the fishing capacity must be based on scientific advice and recommendations. • All fish resources that can be caught in a sustainable way by the artisanal fisheries sector must be reserved for this sector, given its importance for direct and indirect job creation, for food security on a national and regional level, and for export revenue. • Access to other stocks must be limited, so that overcapacity does not develop, and must be conditioned in particular to the obligation to land all catches locally, and to the use of non-destructive and selective gears. The allocation of fishing possibilities must take into consideration the risks in connection with by-catches, especially of stocks that are caught by artisanal fishers.
Investments
• Investments to improve infrastructures for landing and processing catches must be of the utmost priority – the local landing of all catches made within the EEZ will not only create employment and economic activity, but it will also allow better control of what is being caught. • Investments are also needed in technologies that will enable to increase the value of the catches (especially the improvement of sanitary conditions and traceability in order to access international as well as regional and local markets). Support projects, including at a regional level, should be implemented in a localised manner. On this point, we want to point out that the SFP project of the European Union, which was managed in a centralised manner, did not give any tangible results for West African artisanal fisheries; hence, it would be advisable to evaluate it and draw the consequences for all future support programmes aimed at adapting artisanal fisheries to the standards. • Partnerships for sustainable artisanal fisheries, between artisanal fisheries operators from West Africa and Europe, should be promoted, in particular with the objective of adding value to our products. • Finally, investments are needed for the training of our fishers and literacy programmes for fishing communities, with a special attention to the women active in the sector.
The participation of the men and women active in the artisanal fisheries sector
• A permanent participatory mechanism must be put in place in order to ensure that people active in the artisanal fisheries sector and civil society are properly informed and participate in the entire process of the partnership design and implementation. In this respect, provision should be made to support the establishment (or the revitalisation) of fisheries consultative committees, consisting of artisanal fisheries sector representatives, as well as civil society organisations that have an interest in sustainable fisheries. • It is of paramount importance to raise awareness with governments in the sub- region, as well as with regional institutions (in particular the SRFC), about the importance of the sector’s participation in the partnership. • The artisanal fisheries sector stakeholders need urgently to be involved in the implementation of the European Union regulation to combat IUU fishing, in order to assess whether the flexibility measures introduced for the artisanal fisheries sector is sufficient to accommodate the characteristics of West African artisanal fisheries. • The organisational process of the artisanal fisheries sectors must be supported, as it is an indispensable element for an active participation. In this context, particular attention must be given to giving specific support for the participation of women from the sector in the decision-making process.
Transparency, information and communication
• All the information needed to evaluate partnerships must be made available to the countries of the sub-region, so that the economic, social and ecological costs and benefits can be taken into account. • These evaluations, as well as the existing evaluations of the partnership agreements made by the European Union, must be made available to the representatives of the sector and the civil society, so that a broad debate can be opened on the contents of the partnerships. • The fisheries sector must be covered by the initiative for transparency in the exploitation of natural resources (Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative - EITI) – support must be given to develop transparency indicators that are suitable for fisheries, and that will allow the sector and civil society to specify their demands in this respect. • Certain areas have already been identified where it is necessary to have greater transparency: the issuing of fishing licences, the price offered to producers, the market price, and public aid. • Transparency is also achieved thanks to the media – they raise public awareness about the sector’s concerns. Also, journalists from networks like REJOPRAO, which works together with the artisanal fisheries sector, help members of sector organisations to become better informed and thus facilitate their participation in decision-making. Partnerships must support this dynamic cooperation between the sector and the media.
Promoting a regional and international approach
• A regional approach should be adopted, at least for the management of shared stocks (tuna, small pelagics). • In this respect, a first step is to harmonise minimum access conditions, especially applicable to foreign vessels, for the access to shared stocks. • The partners involved should press for the establishment of a sub-committee for artisanal fisheries to the FAO Committee for Fisheries. This proposal was already made at the COFI meeting in 2009, but it needs to obtain stronger support. • We demand that artisanal fisheries sector representatives be included in the Sub-regional Fisheries Commission.
Coherence with the European Union development policy
• The partnerships must promote the development of intra-regional and national fish trade, and must not provoke market distortions which would be harmful to artisanal fishers. • We reiterate that the artisanal fisheries sector have urged, since 2006, for the ratification of the TIR Convention (international road transport) so that our products can circulate more freely; we suggest that efforts to ratify should be reinforced through the partnerships. • The suspension of cooperation and fisheries agreements for political reasons that are not linked to fisheries has a negative effect on the most vulnerable groups in society, especially the artisanal fishing communities. In those cases, commitments taken should be fulfilled, particularly concerning control and surveillance.
We ask this declaration to be transmitted to the European institutions – the European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission – and to the authorities of the countries in the sub-region, the regional fisheries organisations, especially the SRFC, as well as to the non-governmental organisations that are involved in the sector at the sub-regional level.
Done in Nouakchott on the 11th of November 2009
Artisanal fisheries sector organisations signatories (by alphabetical order)
Conseil National Inter-professionnel de la Pêche artisanale du Sénégal (CONIPAS) – Sénégal
Fédération Nationale de Pêche de Mauritanie (FNP) – section artisanale - Mauritania
Fédération Nationale des Coopératives de Pêche artisanale de Côte d’Ivoire (FENACOPECI) – Ivory Coast
Gambia Artisanal Fisheries Development Agency , GAMFIDA - Gambia
Réseau des Organisations professionnelles de pêche artisanale de Guinée Bissau (ROPA) – Guinea Bissau
Organisation de la Pêche artisanale du Cap Vert – Cape Verde
Union Nationale des Femmes fumeuses de Poisson de Guinée (UNFFPG) –Guinea
Union nationale des Pêcheurs artisans de Guinée (UNPAG) – Guinea
[Read the declaration here]
Case studies: Environmental and Social Criteria for Allocating Access to Fisheries Resources
A new report released today by OCEAN2012 and Meridian Prime highlights environmental and social criteria that are successfully employed in allocating access to fisheries resources.
The report, Environmental and Social Criteria for Allocating Access to Fisheries Resources, offers case studies from ten different fisheries in Europe and around the world to show how reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) could be modelled.
Specifically, the report recommends :
Selectivity – Different fishing methods result in different amounts of by-catch. Fishers using fishing methods with low by-catch should be given priority access to the available resources ;
Environmental impact – The impact of different gears and practices on the environment, including damage to the seabed and pollution, vary widely. Fishers using less destructive fishing methods should be given priority access ;
Energy consumption – Some gear and vessel types, like some trawlers and seiners, require enormous amounts of energy compared to the fish they catch. Fishers using vessels and fishing methods that consume less energy per tonne of fish caught should be given priority access ;
Employment and working conditions – Fishing methods that provide more employment opportunities and have less environmental damage should be given priority access. Working conditions should comply with relevant international standards, notably the 2007 International Labour Organisation (ILO) Work in Fishing Convention ;
History of compliance – Past compliance with the rules of the CFP by fishers as well as EU Member States should be considered when allocating access to fishing rights.
“The right to fish in EU waters should be granted to those who contribute to the goal of ending overfishing,” said Markus Knigge of the Pew Environment Group and OCEAN2012. “Allocating access to commonly held fisheries resources through the implementation of strict environmental and social criteria is an effective way of doing this.”
On April 22, 2009, the European Commission launched a reform of the CFP. As part of a broader, stepwise approach to returning EU fisheries to a sustainable footing, OCEAN2012 suggested replacing, or at least enhancing, relative stability with a system of allocating access to fisheries based on an explicit consideration of certain criteria. The allocation system should contribute to environmental sustainability, a more equitable distribution of access to available fishing resources and a culture of compliance.
The future of Fisheries Partnership Agreements in the context of the Common Fisheries Policy reform
Presentation to the European Parliament Development Committee, September 2d 2009 - Béatrice Gorez, Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements (CFFA), Coordinator
Almost since their inception, at the end of the 70‟s, fisheries “cash for access”1 agreements, and later on, fisheries partnership agreements (FPAs), have attracted criticism. If some attempts have been made to address such criticisms through the Fisheries Partnership Agreements (FPAs), the basis for the agreements have remained the same for the EU: the need to secure long term access to third countries fish resources and to maintain its fleet presence in third countries and international waters, paving the way to the failure of this policy to contribute to sustainable fisheries.
However, it needs to be recognised that FPAs have been a unique experience at the global level, to try and reconcile often conflicting interests. In our view, there is however a need for a fundamental change of the guiding principles and framework for EU fisheries relations with developing countries, which would give priority to good governance, environmental sustainability whilst providing an enabling environment for developing countries‟ fishing sectors, particularly the small scale fishing communities. In doing so, there needs to be a careful assessment of the past experience to see how to organise concretely, and for the benefit of developing countries fisheries, the transition towards this new, more sustainable model.
Denouncing the EU-Mauritania Fisheries Agreement protocol: Putting the “Fisheries Partnership” to the test
The European Commission proposes to denounce the EU - fisheries agreement protocol before end of January 2008. The method is brutal; true partnerships are built up through dialogue, not ultimatums. Nevertheless, this could provide an opportunity to review particular aspects of the agreement that may have contributed to the over exploitation of Mauritanian resources and undermined the sustainable development of the Mauritanian fisheries sector.
The European Commission proposes to denounce the EU - fisheries agreement protocol before end of January 2008. The method is brutal; true partnerships are built up through dialogue, not ultimatums. Nevertheless, this could provide an opportunity to review particular aspects of the agreement that may have contributed to the over exploitation of Mauritanian resources and undermined the sustainable development of the Mauritanian fisheries sector.
The European Union races to catch the last West African fish
“There will be no more fish around 2050”. A few weeks ago, the world was shocked by a scientists report telling us our oceans are getting empty. Decreasing fish resources plays an important role in how fisheries relations between the European Union (EU) and developing countries are evolving. This is particularly the case in West Africa, where the EU is signing bilateral deals. The most important of these agreements, both in terms of EU’s access to developing countries resources and in terms of financial compensation, is the fisheries partnership agreement between EU and Mauritania.
“There will be no more fish around 2050”. A few weeks ago, the world was shocked by a scientists report telling us our oceans are getting empty. Decreasing fish resources plays an important role in how fisheries relations between the European Union (EU) and developing countries are evolving. This is particularly the case in West Africa, where the EU is signing bilateral deals. The most important of these agreements, both in terms of EU’s access to developing countries resources and in terms of financial compensation, is the fisheries partnership agreement between EU and Mauritania.
In November 2006, there were two important news for Mauritanian people: the first democratic elections were held and the first fisheries “partnership” agreement with the EU was finally adopted by the European parliament. If the fairness of the elections was a cause for joy, some Mauritanians, the artisanal fishermen in particular, were less convinced about the fairness of the fisheries partnership agreement signed with the EU.
What should be the basis of a partnership in fisheries between the EU and ACP countries?
Notes for presentation at the Seminar on Fisheries Partnership Agreements European Parliament – November 8th 2006
Mauritania EU Fisheries Partnership Agreement: What impacts on fisheries sustainable development in Mauritania?
On 24 July 2006, it was announced that a fisheries agreement had been reached between Mauritania and the European Union. The agreement, entering into force on 1 August 2006, will have duration of six years. In exchange, the EU will grant financial compensation of 86 million euros per year. An additional amount will be coming from ship owners’ contributions and is estimated at 22 million euros, in the event that all fishing possibilities are utilised.
This document discusses a series of issues aimed at determining what impacts the agreement will have on sustainable fisheries development in Mauritania. It includes a comparison between the outcome of the Mauritania-EU partnership negotiations and the expectations set out by Mauritania’s small-scale fishermen, recognised by all parties as key players in the development of sustainable fisheries in Mauritania.
Mauritania – European Union: Fisheries Agreement on the political menu
The Mauritania-EU fisheries partnership agreement proposal, initialed end of July by the Mauritanian authorities and the European Commission, will be on the menu when the European Parliament reconvenes on August 28th . It will also be on the table of the next EU Fisheries Ministers Council.
The EU Parliament and Council will have to agree on the content of an agreement described as the most important both in terms of the access provided to EU fleets – about 200 boats are concerned-, and levels of financial compensation, - Mauritania is to receive 86 millions euros/year.
To mark the occasion, Pêchecops (Pour une Pêche Ecologique génératrice de progrès social - Mauritania) and CFFA (Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements – EU) have published an analysis of the issues arising from this agreement, entitled: Mauritania EU Fisheries Partnership Agreement: What impacts on fisheries sustainable development in Mauritania?
This analysis shows that, for some of Mauritania’s overexploited resources, like the octopus, the EU fleets’ proposed access runs contrary to the principles of sustainable development, as enshrined in the EU fisheries Council conclusions on fisheries partnership agreements. Moreover, a large number of the EU fishing vessels operating under the agreement will use destructive and unselective fishing methods, such as trawls, which are, in the Mauritanian coastal zone, a long term threat to the eco-system.
Pêchecops and CFFA are advocating for a real partnership, where EU fleet access is based only on the available surplus of resources that cannot be caught locally. A real partnership should also include increased participation of stakeholders, particularly artisanal fishing sector and civil society.
Common Position CONIPAS-UNPAG-FNP
Common Position concerning negotiations of the fisheries partnership agreements between the EU and Senegal, Mauritania and Guinea
West African octopus better protected by the EU?
In order to prevent the marketing of young (undersized) octopus caught in eastern central Atlantic waters, particularly in West Africa, the European Commission put forward a proposal on October 12th 2005 to increase the minimum weight of gutted octopus caught in this area to 500 grams. This is in response to scientific advice from the Fishery Committee for the eastern central Atlantic (CECAF) indicating that octopus are being over-fished throughout the area.
The proposed regulation1 stipulates that it will be forbidden “for octopus under the minimum size of 500g (gutted) to be retained on board or be transhipped, landed, transported, stored, sold, displayed or offered for sale, but shall be returned immediately to the sea”. This measure will apply to both EU and non-EU vessels and includes the marketing, including imports, of octopus from this area.
CAPE believes that adopting this measure is a positive step forward for the regeneration of octopus stocks in West African waters. In terms of marketing, it will serve to support the region’s artisanal octopus fishing sector that through selective fishing methods (e.g. pot fishing) and in compliance with the new measure, is able to select larger sized individuals while at the same time releasing live undersized octopus back into the sea.
The EU-Chile Association Agreement and the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector in Chile
Our negotiation has delivered the most ambitious and innovative results ever for a bilateral agreement by the EU. This is a “fourth generation plus” agreement. The agreement covers all the areas of our trade relation going well beyond our respective WTO commitments. Pascal Lamy, EU Trade Commissioner, April 2002, announcing the successful end to negotiating the EU-Chile Association Agreement.
“It is important to stress that the negotiating process of the EU-Chile Association Agreement excluded the participation of Chilean civil society organisations. This effectively denied coastal communities, artisanal fishermen, fishworkers and consumers access to information on issues with a direct bearing on their fishing and aquaculture dependent livelihoods.” Juan Carlos Cardenas, Director of Ecoceanos, July 2002.
“Respect for democratic principles, human rights and the rule of law are essential elements of the agreement. The promotion of sustainable economic and social development, and the equitable distribution of the benefits of the Association Agreement are guiding principles for its implementation.” European Commission Press release, 18 November 2002.
Policy Study: EU-ACP Fisheries Agreements
This document is an output from a project funded by the UK Department for International Development (DfID) for the benefit of developing countries. The views expressed are not necessarily those of DfID.
EU-ACP Fisheries Agreements: partners for better and for worse
In 2004, in a bid to answer widespread criticism about the ‘pay, fish and go’ access agreements it was signing with ACP (African Caribbean Pacific) countries, the EU proposed a new deal: fisheries partnerships agreements (FPAs). FPAs have now been in place for more than three years. Are they delivering the hoped for changes… and if not, why not?
Since FPAs came to life, EU fleets active in developing countries’ EEZs have been confronted with ever decreasing profitability due to over-exploitation of the target stocks, and rising costs – fuel in particular. They must face increasing competition for an ever-diminishing resource base, particularly with other long distance fleets, notably from China or Korea. Given this, it can be argued that FPAs, like the previous access agreements, serve both to diminish fleet access costs and to secure long term access to developing countries resources. But, this may still be to the detriment of sustainable development.
Fisheries Partnerships Agreements: will they be fair?
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?
ACP-EU Fisheries Relations: Who benefits at what cost?
When David meets Goliath: EU-Mauritanian Fisheries Relations
Mauritania has been described as one of the least developed and most highly indebted countries in the world. More than 50% of the population live below the poverty line. Annual population growth is estimated at 3%, while urban migration has resulted in over half of the 2.5 million population now living in towns. Mauritania’s foreign debt is 2.5 times its GDP and 4 times its annual export earnings, with debt servicing consuming 20% of total export earnings. Fortunately for Mauritania, in a context where less than 0.2% of the land area is suitable for arable production, the abundance of fisheries resources in its EEZ has in recent years provided a significant source of both government revenue (up to 30%) and export earnings (up to 50%).
- Fishy Business - ACP-EU Fisheries Relations: Who benefits at what cost?