COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF THE EVALUATION of the Recommendation for a COUNCIL DECISION authorising the opening of negotiations on behalf of the European Union for the conclusion of a protocol to the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement with the Government of the Republic of Liberia
Date: 2020-09-25
Institutions: Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, European Commission
Subjects: Liberia, catch area, catch quota, fishing agreement, fishing rights, negotiation of an agreement (EU), protocol to an agreement, ratification of an agreement, sea fishing, sustainable fisheries

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   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 25.9.2020  SWD(2020) 197 final  COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT  EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF THE EVALUATION  of the Recommendation for a   COUNCIL DECISION authorising the opening of negotiations on behalf of the European Union for the conclusion of a protocol to the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement with the Government of the Republic of Liberia {COM(2020) 582 final} - {SWD(2020) 196 final}  
 
 
The  sustainable  fisheries  partnership  agreements  concluded  between  the  European  Union 
and  third  countries  are  based  on  the  principles  of  sustainability,  transparency  and  non-
discrimination, and contribute to the establishment of a governance framework for external 
fisheries. The Commission is required to carry out an ex-post and ex-ante evaluation before 
any  negotiations  on  a  new  protocol;  this  is  a  routine  step  in  the  negotiation  process.  This 
document sets out the results of the evaluation1 of the current protocol between the EU and 
Liberia, which expires on 8 December 20202.  

The protocol offers access to the Liberian fishing zone for 34 EU vessels targeting tuna and 
tuna-like species in  exchange of an EU annual  amount for access of EUR 357 500 for the 
first year, EUR 325 000 for the second, third and fourth years, and EUR 292 500 for the fifth 
year,  and  a  specific  EU  annual  amount  for  the  support  and  implementation  of  Liberia’ 
sectoral  fisheries  policy  of  EUR  357  500  for  the  first  year,  EUR  325  000  for  the  second, 
third and fourth years, and EUR 292 500 for the fifth year. The beneficiary shipowners, from 
2 Member States, pay fees of around EUR 300 000 a year. 

The Commission is satisfied with the evaluation, which examines five well-defined criteria; 
the results are reliable and the recommendations are relevant. The analysis presented in the 
SWD shows that the agreement is important for the EU, its fleet and Liberia.  

The protocol is effective in allowing access to  a fishing zone for industrial fleets from the 
EU. It ensures the sustainability of the fisheries and helps maintain the profitability of ships 
operating in Liberia. It contributes to the sustainable explotation of fisheries resources in the 
Liberian waters. The protocol offers added value for the EU since it offers a good return on 
investment. The protocol is relevant, in that its objectives correspond to the needs identified. 
It complements the network of EU agreements in the Atlantic and gives shipowners fishing 
opportunities suited to their needs. For Liberia, it provides access to resources of which full 
use  is  not  made  locally,  and  promotes  economic  interaction.  Finally,  the  protocol  is 
consistent with and complements other EU initiatives.  

The  evaluation  makes  various  recommendations  to  be  taken  into  consideration  by  the 
Commission  in  the  negotiations  on  a  future  protocol,  including  maintaining  most  of  the 
conditions  in  the  current  protocol.  The  Commission  agrees  with  the  conclusions  of  the 
evaluation  and  considers  renewal  of 
the  best  option.  The 
recommendations  are  considered  relevant  for  such  a  renewal.  However,  the  Commission 
considers that some technical provisions should be reviewed. 

the  Protocol 

to  be 

Finally, it should be noted that on 23 May 2017, the Republic of Liberia was notified of the 
possibility  of  being  identified  as  a  non-cooperating  third  country  in  fighting  illegal, 
unreported and unregulated fishing by Commission Decision 2017/C 169/12  under Council 
Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 of 29 September 2008 establishing a Community system to 
prevent,  deter  and  eliminate  illegal,  unreported  and  unregulated  fishing.  Bearing  this  in 
mind, the Commission has decided that negotiations for the conclusion of a protocol to the 
Sustainable  Fisheries  Partnership  Agreement  between  the  European  Union  and  the 
Government  of  the  Republic  of  Liberia,  in  line  with  Regulation  (EU)  No  1380/2013  will 
only start once Commission Decision 2017/C 169/12 is reversed.  

1 Retrospective and Ex-ante evaluation study of the protocol to the Agreement on a Sustainable Fisheries Partnership between the 
European Union and the Republic of Liberia. Final report, March 2020 (F&S, Poseidon and Megapesca). 
2 The text of the agreement and protocol (OJ L 328, 12.12.2015, p. 3–43); Council Decision (EU) 2016/1062 of 24 May 2016 on the 
conclusion (OJ L 177, 1.7.2016, p. 1–3) 

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