COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Evaluation Accompanying the document Recommendation for a COUNCIL DECISION authorising the opening of negotiations on behalf of the European Union for the conclusion of a Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement and a protocol with the Republic of Seychelles
Date: 2019-06-18
Institutions: Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, European Commission
Subjects: Seychelles, fishing agreement, fishing area, fishing fleet, fishing rights, negotiation of an agreement (EU), protocol to an agreement, ratification of an agreement, sea fishing, sustainable fisheries

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 18.6.2019  SWD(2019) 210 final  COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Evaluation Accompanying the document Recommendation for a  COUNCIL DECISION authorising the opening of negotiations on behalf of the European Union for the conclusion of a Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement and a protocol with the Republic of Seychelles     {COM(2019) 281 final} - {SWD(2019) 209 final}  
 
 
Table of contents 

1. 

2. 

INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................ 2 

BACKGROUND TO THE INTERVENTION ..................................................................................... 2 

3.  METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................................................ 3 

4. 

IMPLEMENTATION/STATE OF PLAY ............................................................................................ 4 

5.  ANALYSIS AND ANSWERS TO THE EVALUATION QUESTIONS ............................................ 5 

6. 

CONCLUSIONS ................................................................................................................................... 6 

1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1. 

INTRODUCTION 

Purpose and scope 

Bilateral  sustainable  fisheries  partnership  agreements  (hereafter  -  SFPAs)  between  the 
EU and third countries are covered by the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) regulation.1 
SFPAs  help  to  implement  the  CFP  objectives  internationally,  ensuring  that  fishing 
activities  of  the  EU  fleet  outside  Union  waters  are  based  on  the  same  principles  and 
standards  as  those  applied  in  EU  waters.  SFPAs  are  based  on  the  principles  of 
sustainability  and  best  available  scientific  advice,  transparency,  non-discrimination, 
solidarity  through  partnership.  All  in  all,  SFPAs  contribute  to  the  establishment  of  a 
governance framework for external fishing activities.2 Furthermore, the EU commitment 
to  promote  oceans  governance  at  a  global  level  should  be  incorporated  in  newly 
negotiated SFPAs.  

The  Council  Conclusions  on  the  external  dimension  of  the  Common  Fisheries  Policy 
adopted on 19 March 2012, calls for an ex-post and ex-ante evaluation to be carried out 
by the Commission before negotiating a new protocol.3 This stems from Article 31(10) of 
the Basic CFP Regulation. Ex-ante and ex-post evaluation studies aim to inform decision 
makers, before the negotiation directives by the Council are adopted.  

This  staff  working  document  (SWD)  presents  the  results  of  an  ex-post  and  ex-ante 
evaluation4  of  the  current  Sustainable  Fisheries  Partnership  Agreement  between  the 
European Union and Seychelles and of its Implementing Protocol (2014-2020), the latter 
expiring on 17 January 2020. The study covers the period from the entry into force of the 
Protocol  (18  January  2014)  till  end  of  December  2018.  For  the  sectoral  support,  the 
period evaluated also covered the previous Protocol from 1 September 2011 to the end of 
2014. The ex-post evaluation is made on the basis of assessment criteria: effectiveness, 
efficiency, economy, relevance, coherence, EU added value and acceptability. For the ex-
ante analysis, the focus was on the lessons learned, possible benefits of the new Protocol, 
available  options  (renewal  or  non-renewal  of  the  Protocol)  and  the  associated  risks,  as 
well as the added value for the EU. 

2.  BACKGROUND TO THE INTERVENTION 

Description of the intervention and its objectives 

To explain the logic of this intervention, it is important to explain the rationale of SFPAs. 
SFPAs  consist  of  3  major  parts:  Agreements,  Protocol  and  Technical  Annexes.  While 
once negotiated SFPA Agreements are automatically extended, the Protocols have to be 
renegotiated before their expiry. SFPAs are rendered operational through implementation 
Protocols that contain Technical Annexes. It is for this reason that the evaluation study is 
needed (as explained in the introduction), in order to decide whether it is beneficial or not 
renewing the Protocol and, if so, under which conditions.  

EU concludes fisheries partnership agreements with third countries to enable the EU fleet 
to fish surplus resources in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of partner countries (in 
this case – Seychelles), in a legally regulated environment and in exchange for a financial 
contribution by the EU and ship-owners. The EU contribution is made up of two separate 
financial  components:  1)  EU  access  contribution  that  gives  access  for  the  EU  fleet  to 

1 
2 
3 
4  
en/format-PDF/source-97941423 

Regulation (EU) 1380/2013 of 11 December 2013 the Common Fisheries Policy (OJ L354, 28.12.2013, p. 22); 
Overview of SFPA: http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/international/agreements_fr; 
Doc. 7086/12 PECHE 66. 
https://publications.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/5e1b1689-7785-11e9-9f05-01aa75ed71a1/language-

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waters and fisheries resources of a partner country; and 2) EU sectorial support devoted 
to  the  development  of  the  fisheries  sector  in  partner  countries.  The  EU  public 
contribution is complemented by contributions paid by EU ship-owners. 

Each SFPA is an exclusive agreement: once in place, EU vessels can only fish under this 
SFPA,  and  cannot  enter  into  private  agreements  with  the  partner  country.  The  SFPA 
ensures a level-playing field and establishes minimum standards for sustainable resource 
management  as  it  includes  provisions  prohibiting  the  granting  of  more  favourable 
conditions to other foreign fleets. The implementation of the Agreement and the Protocol 
is  managed  by  a  Joint  Committee,  which  meets  at  least  once  per  year,  composed  of 
representatives of both parties.  

The first fisheries agreement between the EU and Seychelles dates back from 1987. The 
current Agreement was  concluded in 20065 and is tacitly renewed every six years from 
its  entry  into  force.  Under  the  current  Protocol  of  six  years  (18  January  2014  till  17 
January 2020), the EU fleet is allowed to fish tuna in Seychelles’ waters with a reference 
tonnage  of  50  000  tonnes  per  year.  Access  is  given  to  40  purse  seiners  and  6  surface 
longliners.  In  addition  to  the  fees  paid  by  the  European  fleet,  the  EU  pays  a  financial 
contribution of 5 000 000 EUR per year for this partnership, out of which 2 500 000 EUR 
are  earmarked  for  supporting  the  local  fishing  sector  in  Seychelles  and  improving 
fisheries governance6. The Partnership with the EU is also contributing to strengthening 
the fight against Illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing (IUU). 

The FPA has overall a significant impact on the economy of the country. Port Victoria is 
a major hub for the regional fishery sector and it hosts an important cannery processing 
about 80 000 tonnes per year of raw materials (about one third of the West Indian Ocean 
purse  seiner  tuna  catch).  EU  tuna  vessels  operating  under  the  Agreement  during  the 
period  2014-2017  landed  an  estimated  22%  of  their  regional  tuna  catches  into  this 
cannery  at  the  international  market  price,  playing  therefore  a  relevant  role  in  their 
supplies.  Furthermore,  under  the  Protocol  the  EU  tuna  seiners  landing  in  Port  Victoria 
endeavour  to  supply  their  by-catches  locally  at  the  local  market  price.  Following  the 
introduction by IOTC of the full landing obligations from 2018, all bycatch is also landed 
to the Seychelles.   

Important  to  note,  that  bilateral  cooperation  between  the  EU  and  Seychelles  should  be 
looked at in a larger context, taking into account synergies in all the actions undertaken 
under  other  SFPAs  or  in  the  framework  of  regional  cooperation,  and  coordinated  with 
other  EU  projects  and  relevant  interventions.  To  do  so,  DG  MARE  works  in  close 
cooperation with  other Commission services (DEVCO, TRADE, SANTE) and with  the 
EEAS in order to ensure coherence in actions undertaken by different services. Synergies 
are  also  sought  with  other  financial  donors  in  the  region,  in  order  to  ensure 
complementarity of resources and maximum benefits to Seychelles. 

3.  METHODOLOGY 

The  evaluation  study  was  conducted  between  January  and  February  2019,  under  the 
guidance  of  an  inter-service  Steering  Group  and  within  the  general  framework  of  the 
Terms  of  Reference’s  framework  contract.  The  methodology  used  in  the  evaluation 
included  analysis  of  documentation  and  data  available,  and  consultation  of  Seychelles’ 
and EU stakeholders (more information in Annex 2). 

The preparation of the evaluation report took into account the guidelines recommended 
by  the  EU,  including  the  "Toolbox"  on  evaluation,  in  particular  on  how  to  assess  the 

5 OJ L290 of 20.10.2006, p.2  
6 For the last 4 years of the Protocol. For the first 2 years, it was 5 350 000 

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impacts of EU interventions in third countries, and the methodological elements specific 
to  the  external  dimension  of  the  CFP,  such  as  those  concerning  the  methods  of 
assessment of the socio-economic benefits of fisheries agreements. 

All in all, the contractor respected all the requirements set by the Steering group, and all 
the  meetings  were  held  without  delay.  There  was  a  very  constructive  communication 
between the Steering  group and the  contractor along the  whole  evaluation process,  and 
the cooperation was mutually much appreciated.  

4. 

IMPLEMENTATION/STATE OF PLAY 

As  regards  the  implementation  of  the  Protocol,  a  number  of  areas  are  identified  by  the 
consultant, in order to reflect what the situation was before the intervention started, and 
how it was expected to develop and other relevant points of comparison. 

Utilisation of fishing opportunities  

The  utilisation  of  fishing  opportunities  for  tuna  purse  seiners  has  been  good  over  the 
period  2014-2020.  An  average  of  27  EU  tuna  purse  seiners  have  drawn  fishing 
authorisations (69% out of 40 foreseen in the Protocol), and this represents almost all EU 
tuna purse seiners active in the Indian Ocean, demonstrating the strategic interest of the 
access to the Seychelles EEZ for this fleet segment.  

For  surface  longliners,  only  1  French  surface  longliner  has  utilised  the  fishing 
opportunities in 2016 and 2017. This can be explained by the fact that larger vessels in 
this segment target species in sub-tropical waters to the South, and the Seychelles zone is 
out  of  range  of  most  of  the  smaller  vessels  based  in  the  EU  Outermost  Region  of  La 
Réunion. 

Catches   

Annual  EU  catches  under  the  Protocol  amount  to  around  48  000  tonnes  between  2014 
and 2018, with two years during which the total catches were higher than the reference 
tonnage. The average catch by purse seiner is of around 1725 tonnes per vessel.  

Scientific cooperation  

The scientific exchanges between the Parties have mainly taken place in the frame of the 
discussions  at  the  Indian Ocean  Tuna Commission  (IOTC), for which both the EU and 
Seychelles are active members, and which have provided sufficient scientific base for the 
management decisions taken by the Joint Committee.  

Technical measures 

As regards the support vessels and although the Protocol does not limit their numbers, it 
is to note that 10 EU supply vessels on average per year were licensed between 2014 and 
2018.  

Seychelles seamen  were embarked on approximately  51% of  fishing  trips  made by  EU 
vessels and operators paid compensation for non-recruitment, when relevant. The reason 
for  non-embarking  has  been  reported  to  be  in  numerous  occasion  the  unavailability  of 
qualified seamen. 

The observer  capacity of Seychelles  has been significantly strengthened throughout  the 
period  of  the  Protocol,  increasing  from  2  initial  qualified  observer  instructors  up  to  a 
corps of 42 in 2018. The establishment of an effective observer regime for purse seiners 
is  one  of  the  major  achievements  of  the  Protocol.  This  has  allowed  to  consistently 

4 

 
exceeding by a large number the minimum IOTC observer coverage of 5% of trips in the 
purse seiner sector, on both Seychelles and EU and foreigner vessels. 

Sectoral support 

With an overall budget of 17 632 015 EUR7, the sectoral support program for 2014-2020 
has been focusing on 3 priority areas: development and implementation of fisheries and 
aquaculture  management  plans,  fisheries  infrastructure  development,  and  capacity 
building. The initial financial allocation of the budget by objectives is illustrated in Table 
28 of the external evaluation report, with the highest proportion of the budget allocated to 
fisheries infrastructure development.  

In  the  fishery  development  area,  it  is  reported  that  the  program  has  successfully 
contributed  to  the  monitoring,  control,  surveillance  and  enforcement  capabilities  of  the 
Seychelles,  in  particular  by  strengthening  the  Monitoring  Control  and  Surveillance 
system.  The  Satellite  Vessel  Monitoring  System  has  been  extended  to  national  vessels 
and  the  Fisheries  Monitoring  Centre  upgraded  to  cope  with  the  increased  level  of 
activity. Significant  efforts have focused on the installation of the Electronic Reporting 
System (ERS), which however, despite the progresses in the last period, is not yet fully 
operational.  In the same area, the programme supported the development of a demersal 
fisheries  management  plan  and  scientific  studies,  as  well  as  the  establishment  of  the 
policy,  legal  and  institutional  framework  for  the  development  of  the  commercial 
aquaculture sector. 

The fisheries infrastructure development priority is reported to be the central, significant 
and  visible  feature  of  the  Programme,  with  significant  upgrades  in  facilities  serving  in 
particular  the  small-scale  fishery  sector  and  improving  their  sanitary  conditions.  Some 
projects,  such  as  the  Île  du  Port  investment,  has  helped  the  Seychelles  to  retain  its 
strategic  role  as  the  EU  fleet’s  main  landing  and  transhipping  port  for  the  tuna  in  the 
Indian Ocean.  

Finally,  the  sectoral  support  clearly  contributed  to  the  capacity  building  of  staff,  by 
supporting  the  scholarships  and  operation  of  a  long-line  training  vessel  donated  to  the 
Seychelles  Maritime  Training.  Furthermore,  the  activities  under  the  Programme 
strengthened the sanitary control system for fishery products. 

The  sectoral  support  has  nevertheless  experienced  some  delays  and  challenges  in  the 
implementation,  and  there  remains  room  for  improvement  in  program  management  in 
several areas.  

5.  ANALYSIS AND ANSWERS TO THE EVALUATION QUESTIONS 

The 2014-2020 Protocol between the EU and Seychelles has broadly met the evaluation 
criteria for EU interventions of effectiveness, efficiency, economy relevance, coherence, 
acceptability  and  EU  added  value.  The  current  Protocol  can  be  broadly  described  as  a 
win-win  agreement  for  both  parties  in  that  it  addresses  most  of  the  identified  needs  of 
different stakeholders.  

Effectiveness.  The  2014-2020  Protocol  has  broadly  met  the  evaluation  criteria  for  EU 
intervention for effectiveness. It has indeed met the objective of protecting the interests 
of the EU long distance fleet by providing stable access to an important fishing zone in 
the Western Indian Ocean. The Protocol is also evaluated as effective. It addresses most 

7 This budget also included a balance of EUR 2 420 342 from the previous Protocol. 

5 

 
                                                           
of the identified needs of different stakeholders, and the sectoral support programme has 
delivered  some  notable  benefits  in  infrastructure,  capacity  building  and  fisheries 
management and conservation.  

The  main  elements  of  concern  regarding  effectiveness  have  been  the  low  utilisation  of 
surface longline fishing opportunities provided in the Protocol and the initial difficulties 
of  the  parties  to  implement  the  sectoral  support  programme  according  to  the  foreseen 
timetable. 

Efficiency.  The  Protocol  is  evaluated  as  efficient  with  an  EU  financial  contribution 
proportional to the fishing opportunities exploited. The reference tonnage has on average 
been  96%  consumed,  with  additional  payments  for  excess  catches  above  this  amount 
generated in two years of the Protocol so far. 

Economy.  The  nature  and  dimensions  of  the  sectoral  support  programme  were 
commensurate with the needs of the fishery sector, and the EU has disbursed the sector 
support contributions in a timely manner and consistent with the Protocol. Nevertheless, 
initial programming and management experienced some challenges.  

Relevance.  The  Protocol  is  found  to  be  highly  relevant  to  the  needs  of  the  key 
stakeholders concerned. For EU ship-owners, the Protocol provides predictable access to 
a  productive  fishing  area.  For  Seychelles,  it  delivers  national  economic  benefits  from 
tuna resources present in the EEZ that the national fleet cannot at present fully exploit. It 
has also supported Seychelles to meet its IOTC obligations, especially in relation to the 
observer  programme.  Furthermore,  the  Protocol  ensures  important  supplies  to  the 
Western Indian Ocean and contributes to Seychelles key policy objective of maintaining 
Victoria as the main tuna industry hub of the Western Indian Ocean. 

Coherence. The Protocol is coherent with other EU interventions in the Western Indian 
Ocean,  in  particular  those  of  the  European  Development  Fund  aimed  at  strengthening 
fisheries  governance  and  maritime  security.  Furthermore,  it  is  consistent  with  the 
conservation  and  management  measures  adopted  under  the  multilateral  framework  of 
IOTC, and supports Seychelles’ participation in the work of this RFMO and compliance 
with its measures through the sectoral support component. In addition, it provides greater 
transparency in coherence with the IOTC resolution.  

EU added value. The added value of the EU intervention is high, as this provides more 
stable access to  migratory  fisheries resources than could  be achieved by  private  annual 
arrangements, and supports the implementation of the Seychelles fisheries policy.  

Acceptability. The Agreement and its Protocol are considered to have been acceptable to 
the EU and the Member States, the Government of the Seychelles, as well as to the EU 
and Seychellois fishery sector operators.  

6.  CONCLUSIONS 

The  contractor  has  fully  addressed  the  evaluation  questions  and  provided  the 
Commission with concrete, reliable and credible results. Based on these observations, the 
contractor  has  drawn  conclusions  based  on  objective  analysis  and  made  specific  and 
relevant  recommendations  for  future  negotiations  on  the  new  agreement  and  protocol 
between the EU and Seychelles.  

From all options considered, the renewal of the Protocol at the end of its implementation 
period (17 January 2020) clearly appears to be in the interest of both parties and as the 
most  beneficial  outcome.  The  evaluation  also  concludes  that  it  could  be  in  the  mutual 
interest of both parties to consider updating the framework for their cooperation by the 

6 

 
adoption of a new Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement. Any other option would 
not bring the same benefits, including the option of not renewing the Protocol.  

The  negotiation  of  a  new  Sustainable  Fisheries  Partnership  Agreement  would  imply 
reinforcing principles such as on transparency and non-discrimination, as to better align 
with the general principles set out in the Common Fishery Policy Regulation. 

The  current  Protocol  positively  addresses  the  identified  needs  of  the  different 
stakeholders.  Therefore,  the  evaluation  recommends  retaining  a  similar  technical  and 
financial  approach  in  a  future  Protocol,  with  however  some  adaptations  aimed  in 
particular at improving the implementing technical conditions of its access component as 
well as the management of the sectoral support.  

As  regards  the  technical  conditions  to  be  improved,  the  spatial  limits  of  the  fishing 
activities  under  a  future  Protocol  should  take  into  account  possible  extensions  of  the 
Marine Protected Areas and restrictions within the Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan, which 
are  currently  under  discussion  and  which  may  impact  on  EU  fleet  activities.  Fishing 
opportunities for purse seiners and surface longliners may be retained, however a limit on 
authorisations for supply vessels could be introduced, as to ensure coherence with IOTC 
Resolution  18/01.  The  catch  data  reporting  system  could  be  improved  through  an 
operational ERS, and the seamen recruitment monitoring system could be reviewed.  

With  regard  to  access  conditions,  the  reference  tonnage  used  to  establish  the  financial 
compensation  reflect  the  historical  catches,  however  in  a  future  protocol  it  should  take 
into  account  possible  modifications  of  the  fishing  zones  due  to  the  extension  of  the 
Marine Protected Areas.  

With  regard  to  the  sectoral  support  component,  the  evaluation  recommends  continuing 
focusing  on  monitoring,  control  and  surveillance,  and  in  strengthening  the  Seychelles’ 
capacity  to  fulfil  its  obligations  under  the  Agreement  and  the  IOTC.  Scientific 
focus  on  collection,  processing,  analysis  and 
cooperation 
communication  of  catch  data.  Furthermore,  it  is  recommended  to  put  emphasis  on 
supporting  improvements  of  Port  State  controls,  in  line  with  Seychelles’  international 
obligations  due  to  the  importance  of  Victoria  for  Indian  Ocean  tuna  landings  and 
transshipments, and the implementation of Seychelles’ Fisheries Policy.  

therefore 

should 

Programming and implementation of the sectoral support programme could be improved, 
and,  for  this  purpose,  it  is  suggested  to  allocate  a  specific  component  of  the  sectoral 
support to program management. Furthermore, a future Protocol should better ensure the 
visibility of the sectoral support actions and define a budget for ensuring communication 
on the results of the programme. 

To sum up, the Commission supports in general the conclusions of the assessment made 
by the contractor.  

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Annex 1: Procedural information 

1.  LEAD DG, DeCIDE PLANNING/CWP REFERENCES 

Responsable DG: DG MARE – Maritime Affairs and Fisheries/ PLAN/2018/3997 

2.  ORGANISATION AND TIMING 

Tasks 

Time 

Signature of the contract  

19 December 2018 

Kick-off meeting 

Report of the Kick-off meeting 

Submission of the inception report  

10 January 2019 

11 January 2019 

21 January 2019 

Comments to the inception report 

20 February 2019 

Meeting to discuss inception report 

n/a (exchanges by email) 

Submission of the draft final report 

27 February 2019 

Meeting to discuss draft final report  

19 March 2019 

Submission of the final report  

29 April 2019 

3.  EXCEPTIONS TO THE BETTER REGULATION GUIDELINES 

The  legal  and  procedural  requirements  for  the  preparation  of  the  renewal  of  fisheries 
protocols  lead  to  a  tight  schedule,  which  prevents  the  holding  of  an  open  public 
consultation. Moreover, the impact of SFPA is relatively limited, as they focus on a small 
number of stakeholders. The consultation strategy excludes open public consultations. 

4.  CONSULTATION OF THE RSB (IF APPLICABLE) 

The Contractor used data provided by  DG MARE and DG DEVCO and  the interviews 
with  the  authorities  of  Seychelles,  EU  Member  States  concerned,  representatives  or 
associations of fishing ship-owners, NGOs and civil society. 

5.  EVIDENCE, SOURCES AND QUALITY 

The evaluation process and the final evaluation report was subject to a quality assessment 
by the Steering Committee. 

8 

 
 
Annex 2: Stakeholder consultation 

Main questionnaire sent to stakeholders 

  What  is  your  view  on  the  Protocol  approved  by  the  Council  and  the  European 

 

Parliament?   
In  your  opinion,  what  are  the  main  reasons  for  the  limited  interest  in  the  fishing 
opportunities for Surface Longline Vessels (ES, FR or PT)? 

  Are  you  generally  satisfied  by  the  way  the  European  Commission  manages  the 

Fisheries agreement with Seychelles? 

  Do you face difficulties in the implementation of the following monitoring measures 

 

attributed to Member States in the context of this Protocol? 
In the event the Protocol is renewed in 2020, what changes should be made compared 
to the current Protocol? 

  The  Government  of  Seychelles  has  proposed  the  establishment  of  two  Marine 
Protected  Areas  covering  400,000  km2  (see  https://bit.ly/2FoZbhB  )  in  which  purse 
seine fishing activities will be restricted. Are you aware of this, and what impacts do 
you consider it may have on fishing by EU vessels? 

  Do you have any other comments? 

Background  

In  line  with  the  implementation  of  the  Commission  guidelines  and  the  better  regulation 
‘toolbox’,  a  consultation  strategy  has  been  elaborated  by  the  contractor  to  support  the 
preparation  of  the  negotiations  for  the  renewal  of  protocols  to  the  fisheries  partnership 
agreements  (SFPAs).  The  strategy  has  had  to  define  the  best  means  of  achieving  relevant 
stakeholders both in the EU and in the partner country concerned.   

Objectives  

The aim of the consultation:   

1. To obtain stakeholders’ views on the implementation of the previous protocol or ongoing, 
as well as on the possible renewal of the protocol, including the different options;   

2. To use the results of this consultation in the evaluation report. 

Approach to consultation of stakeholders  

The main stakeholders concerned with the Protocol, which have been consulted in the form 
of  interview  or  through  the  form  sent,  are  as  follows:  1)  Member  States  flag  ships 
beneficiaries;  2)  representatives  or  associations  of  ship-owners  in  the  beneficiaries  of  this 
Protocol;  3)  non-governmental  organisations 
(NGOs);  4)  The  partner  country 
administrations; 5) the private sector and civil society. 

Results of the stakeholder consultation 

The views of the organizations are synthesized in  the main text  of the evaluation  report,  in 
particular in the ex-post evaluation chapters of the current protocol and ex ante of a possible 

 
 
 
future  protocol.  The  lists  of  stakeholders  consulted  are  included  in  Annexes  7  and  8  of  the 
Protocol.  

 
 
 
 
 
ANNEXE 3:  

ANALYTICAL METHODS AND MODELS USED TO DEVELOP THE 
EVALUATION 

Economic analysis 

A  harmonised  methodology  has  been  developed  for  the  economic  analysis  of  tuna  fleets, 
which fish under SFPAs and under RFMOs.  

Data used correspond to data provided by the Commission through the EU Member States to 
the contractor. 

The specific methodology applied by the contractor is presented in Annex 5 of the evaluation 
study.  Furthermore,  the  contractor  has  also  carried  out  an  assessment,  under  different 
scenarios,  of  the  EU  tuna  catches  in  Marine  Protected  Areas  under  the  Seychelles  Marine 
Spatial Plan, which is presented in Annex 4 of the study. 

Science 

The evaluators did not carry out tuna stock assessments as such, but used the latest available 
scientific  advice  from  IOTC  as  well  as  most  the  recent  management  measures  adopted  by 
IOTC for the tuna fishery. 

Data on catches and fishing authorizations 

Catch data for EU vessels used in the assessment were taken from the European Commission 
consolidated  catch  database,  which  is  updated  by  Member  States.  Information  on  fishing 
authorizations granted by Seychelles to EU vessels has been extracted from the Commission's 
database on fishing authorizations as well as on elements provided by Seychelles.