The European Union (EU) and Côte d’Ivoire have renewed their partnership in the field of sustainable fisheries by signing a new protocol. This agreement grants EU vessels access to Côte d’Ivoire’s waters for a period of four years, with a fishing quota of approximately 6,100 tonnes of tuna and other migratory species per year. The protocol supports the EU’s goals of enhancing food security and ensuring an adequate supply of fishery products to the European market.

At the same time, the protocol aims to foster the development of a sustainable fisheries sector in Côte d’Ivoire. The EU has committed to supporting the country in the following areas:

• Sustainability of fish stocks, through improved scientific knowledge and enhanced administrative capacity for fisheries resource management.
• Support for local fishing communities, including job creation and the professionalization of fisheries sector actors.
• Increased attractiveness of the Port of Abidjan.

Additionally, with the help of EU sectoral funding, Côte d’Ivoire will identify and implement projects aimed at strengthening monitoring, control, and surveillance of fisheries and combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The total EU contribution under this new protocol will amount to €2.967 million, or €740,000 per year, of which €435,000 per year is earmarked to support the sustainable fisheries sector in Côte d’Ivoire.

Beyond this, EU vessel operators will pay the Ivorian administration for fishing licenses and a catch fee of €80 per tonne, which will increase to €85 per tonne in the third and fourth years of the protocol's implementation.

The protocol also aims to improve working conditions on board fishing vessels. To this end, both parties commit to ensuring compliance with international labor standards set by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Furthermore, the protocol is expected to reinforce adherence to international obligations, as it explicitly refers to the recommendations and resolutions of regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) and other applicable international legal instruments.

Next Steps

The new protocol will be applied provisionally from 6 June 2025 and will officially enter into force once the ratification process has been completed by both parties. On the EU side, this includes approval by the European Parliament.

Background

The fisheries partnership agreement between the EU and Côte d’Ivoire was initially signed on 1 July 2007 and is tacitly renewed every six years. For it to remain effective, the agreement must be accompanied by an implementation protocol that outlines specific details related to catch volumes and financial contributions.

This renewed protocol will:

• Provide EU vessels access to Ivorian waters for four years with a quota of 6,100 tonnes of tuna and other migratory species per year.
• Contribute to the EU's goal of securing sustainable food sources for its market.
• Promote the sustainable development of Côte d’Ivoire's fisheries sector through EU support for scientific research, job creation, and improved port infrastructure.
• Support fisheries control and surveillance, particularly in fighting IUU fishing.
• Uphold international labor and maritime standards.
• Reaffirm compliance with international fisheries obligations.