EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Brussels, 13.11.2023
COM(2023) 697 final
ANNEX
to the
Recommendation for a
COUNCIL DECISION
authorising the opening of the negotiations on behalf of the European Union for the conclusion of an Implementing Protocol to the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Cabo Verde
{SWD(2023) 349 final} - {SWD(2023) 350 final}
ANNEX
Negotiating directives
–The objective of the negotiations is the conclusion of an implementing protocol to the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Cabo Verde in accordance with Articles 28, 31 and 32 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 on the Common Fisheries Policy and with the Council Conclusions of 19 March 2012 on the Commission Communication of 13 July 2011 on the external dimension of the Common Fisheries Policy.
–The implementing protocol should define the general framework of the fishing activities of Union vessels in Cabo Verde’s waters as well as of the cooperation with the Republic of Cabo Verde in the field of fisheries;
–To promote sustainable and responsible fishing while ensuring mutual benefits for the Union and the Republic of Cabo Verde through this implementing protocol, the Commission's negotiation objectives should be based on the following:
·Ensuring access to the Republic of Cabo Verde’s fishing zone and the necessary authorisations for vessels of the Union fleet to fish in that zone, thereby inter alia developing the network of Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements available to Union operators in the Atlantic Ocean;
·Taking into due account the best available scientific advice and relevant management plans adopted by Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMO), in order to ensure the environmental sustainability of fishing activities and to promote ocean governance at the international scale. The fishing activities should be directed exclusively at the surplus, taking into account the local fleet's fishing capacity, while paying special attention to the highly migratory nature of the stocks concerned;
·Seeking an appropriate share of the fisheries resources, fully commensurate with the Union fleets' interests, when they also interest other foreign fleets as well as the application of the same technical conditions to all foreign fleets;
·Ensuring that access to fisheries is based on the historical and the expected future activity of the Union fleet in the region, in the light of the most updated and best available scientific assessments, and taking into consideration the interests of Union outermost regions;
·Establishing a dialogue to reinforce the sectoral policy with a view to encouraging the implementation of a responsible fisheries policy, in connection with Cabo Verde's development objectives, in particular as regards fisheries governance, the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, control, monitoring and surveillance of fishing activities and the provision of scientific advice; labour rights of fishermen and fostering economic activity;
·Including a clause on the consequences of violations of human rights (including labour rights) and democratic principles.
·Including a clause on non-discrimination between the different fleets and transparency.
–In particular, the protocol should define:
·the fishing opportunities to be granted to Union vessels;
·the financial compensation and the conditions for its payment; and
·the mechanisms for implementing sectoral support.