EU Parliament approves new four-year tuna fisheries protocol with Côte d’Ivoire, granting 32 EU vessels access for 6,100 tonnes annually
Agreement Guarantees Access For 32 EU Vessels Until 2029
The European Parliament has approved a new four-year tuna fisheries protocol between the European Union and Côte d’Ivoire, allowing 32 EU vessels to continue operating in the West African country’s exclusive economic zone until 2029.
Under the agreement, 25 freezer tuna purse seiners and seven surface longliners from Spain, France and Portugal will be permitted to catch up to 6,100 tonnes of tuna and other migratory species per year. The deal was adopted in Parliament by 520 votes in favour, 97 against and 12 abstentions, and has been provisionally applied since 6 June 2025.
The EU will pay Côte d’Ivoire €740,000 annually, of which €305,000 will cover access rights for the vessels. The remaining €435,000 will be allocated to support the sustainable development of Côte d’Ivoire’s fisheries sector, with investment in small-scale fishing, aquaculture, scientific capacity, and port infrastructure, including improvements at Abidjan.
Financial Terms For Vessels
EU shipowners will pay €80 per tonne of tuna caught during the first two years of the protocol, rising to €85 per tonne in the final two years. Tuna purse seiners will pay Côte d’Ivoire authorities €12,000 per annual fishing licence for the first two years and €12,750 thereafter, while surface longliners will pay €4,000 per year until 2027 and €4,250 for the remaining period.
Strengthening Cooperation And Tackling Illegal Fishing
A Joint Committee will oversee allocation of funds for sustainable fisheries to ensure transparency and alignment with shared strategic objectives. Both parties have agreed to cooperate on enhancing inspection, control and enforcement systems to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in Ivorian waters.
Funds from the protocol will also be directed toward job creation and improved economic opportunities for local fishing communities, alongside better fisheries management practices. The protocol emphasises responsible exploitation of tuna stocks, in line with the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) and regional fisheries management frameworks.
“A Balanced And Mutually Beneficial Agreement”
Ton Diepeveen (PfE, Netherlands), the Parliament’s rapporteur, said: “The new fisheries partnership with Côte d’Ivoire is a balanced and mutually beneficial agreement. This protocol secures valuable fishing opportunities for European fishers and strengthens Europe’s food security, while supporting economic resilience in Côte d’Ivoire through investment in sustainable fisheries management and the fight against illegal fishing. It delivers concrete benefits for both sides.”
Background
Côte d’Ivoire’s fisheries sector plays a central role in national employment and food security, particularly in the port city of Abidjan, which serves as a major hub for regional tuna processing. The country’s fisheries partnership with the EU dates back to 1990 and was updated in 2007 under the current sustainable fisheries framework, with protocols renewed at six-year intervals.
Previous agreements identified issues including under-utilised licences, weak enforcement, and poor working conditions for local crew. The latest protocol seeks to address these challenges through closer monitoring, fair labour standards, and investment in the local sector’s capacity and governance.
