BRUSSELS (CHATNEWSTV) — The European Union and Côte d’Ivoire have signed a new four-year protocol under their fisheries partnership agreement, renewing cooperation nearly a year after the previous deal expired, EU officials confirmed Friday.
The new protocol, signed on June 6, will allow EU vessels to fish up to 6,100 tonnes of tuna and other migratory species annually in Ivorian waters while supporting sustainability efforts and boosting the West African country’s fisheries sector.
“This agreement represents a strategic step forward — not just for the EU’s food security but for the sustainable development of Côte d’Ivoire’s blue economy,” the European Commission said in a statement.
The protocol includes €2.967 million in total EU contributions over four years, with €435,000 annually earmarked to support sustainable fisheries, local job creation, and improved port infrastructure in Abidjan. In addition, EU shipowners will pay licence and capture fees directly to the Ivorian government — €80 per tonne initially, rising to €85 in the third and fourth years.
Côte d’Ivoire will also receive EU sector-specific funding to strengthen fisheries monitoring, control, and surveillance, and to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
“This partnership is a win-win,” said an EU fisheries official involved in the negotiations. “We’re creating jobs, protecting marine ecosystems, and ensuring a fair, rules-based approach to shared ocean resources.”
The agreement also mandates compliance with international labor and maritime standards, referencing working conditions established by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
The protocol will apply provisionally as of June 6 and will enter into force once ratified by both sides. Approval from the European Parliament is still pending.
The EU and Côte d’Ivoire have cooperated under a fisheries agreement since 2007, which is tacitly renewed every six years. This latest protocol ensures continued access to West African fisheries while emphasizing sustainability and shared governance of marine resources.
