Gabon opens negotiations for new fisheries agreement with EU

Gabon has authorized the opening of negotiations for a new Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) with the European Union. This decision follows the unilateral termination of a previous protocol that the Gabonese government deemed imbalanced.

Under the former agreement, 33 European vessels were permitted to fish for tuna in Gabonese waters in exchange for an annual compensation of 1.6 million euros. The government aims to establish a more equitable partnership that ensures Gabonese sovereignty over marine resources, strengthens the blue economy, and combats illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

A national negotiation team has been established to manage the upcoming discussions, with the goal of creating a new generation of cooperation that aligns with Gabon's strategic interests.