on the allocation of fishing opportunities under the Implementing Protocol (2021-2026) to the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Gabonese Republic and the European Community

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

1.CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL

•Reasons for and objectives of the proposal

The current Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA) between the European Community and the Gabonese Republic was signed on 4 June 2007 and entered into force on 11 June 2007 for a duration of 6 years. The agreement is tacitly renewable, and is therefore still in force. A previous 3-year FPA Implementing Protocol entered into force on 24 July 2013 and expired on 23 July 2016. On the basis of the relevant negotiating directives, the Commission conducted negotiations with the Government of the Gabonese Republic (hereinafter ‘Gabon’) with a view to concluding, on behalf of the European Union, a new FPA implementing protocol (2021-2026). At the end of those negotiations, a protocol was initialled by the negotiators on 10 February 2021. The new Protocol covers a period of 5 years from the date of provisional application laid down in its Article 24 thereof, that being the date on which it is signed by both parties. The purpose of this proposal is to authorise the signing of the Implementing Protocol.

•Consistency with existing provisions in the policy area

The main aim of the new Protocol is to provide an updated framework taking into account the priorities of the reformed common fisheries policy and its external dimension, with a view to continuing and strengthening the strategic partnership between the European Union and the Gabonese Republic in the field of fisheries.

The Protocol aims to grant fishing opportunities to European Union vessels in the Gabonese fishing zone in accordance with the best available scientific advice and the resolutions and recommendations of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), within the limits of the available surplus. The Commission based its position in part on the results of an evaluation of the previous Protocol (2013-2016) and a forward-looking evaluation of whether a new protocol should be concluded. These evaluations were carried out by external experts. The aim is also to enhance cooperation between the European Union and the Gabonese Republic to promote a sustainable fisheries policy and sound exploitation of fisheries resources in the Gabonese fishing zone and in the Atlantic Ocean, in the interest of both parties. This cooperation will also help to promote decent working conditions for fishing activity.

The new Protocol provides for fishing opportunities in the following categories:

- 27 tuna purse seine vessels;

- 6 pole-and-line tuna vessels;

- support vessels in accordance with the relevant ICCAT resolutions and within the limits set by Gabonese legislation;

- 4 trawlers for possible fishing of deep-sea crustaceans, subject to authorisation based on the results of exploratory fishing trips.

•Consistency with other Union policies

The negotiation of a new implementing protocol to the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement with Gabon forms part of the Union’s external action in relation to African, Caribbean and Pacific (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