EU-Seychelles SFPA: The PECH rapporteur calls for more transparency and participation of the local fisheries sector

During the debate in the EP PECH Committee, the European Commission also proposed to reorient some sectoral support funds to address the challenges the local fishing communities are facing with the Covid-19

The European Parliament Fisheries Committee (PECH) held an online meeting on Monday 25 May where it debated the first draft report and recommendation on the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) and its protocol between the EU and Seychelles. The rapporteur Caroline Roose (Greens/EFA) welcomed some of the progress in the new SFPA and protocol, namely the reinforcement of control and joint inspections, the Seychelles-EU cooperation at the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), the limitation of the number of Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) and support vessels, and the inclusion of an article on transparency.

However, she highlighted that there is still progress to be made in ensuring the transparency and participation of local stakeholders in the SFPA negotiation and implementation process, especially on the allocation of sectoral support, one of the key demands from the Seychelles small-scale fisheries sector. Her report insisted on the importance of tuna fisheries for food security in Seychelles, reminding the EU that its fleet is “in direct competition” with local small-scale fishermen that also fish tuna in the Indian Ocean. She also stressed the urgency of tackling the overfishing of yellowfin tuna, and underscored the need to apply the recommendations of IOTC. According to IOTC resolution 19/02, as of 1 January 2020, vessels need to reduce the number of FADs to 300 maximum.

Other members of the PECH Committee also highlighted the issue of transparency, such as Xavier-François Bellamy (PPE), and the need for participation and development of the local fisheries sector, such as Isabel Carvalhais (S&D), Ruza Tomasic (ECR) and Peter van Dalen (PPE).

The European Commission (DG MARE) responded by stressing that the EU will take action to tackle overfishing of yellowfin tuna at IOTC level, in cooperation with the government of Seychelles, and also insisted that the EU has “one of the most transparent fleets.”

Reallocation of sectoral support funds

DG MARE also informed that they are working with the Seychelles government and the EU delegation in the Seychelles to find solutions to the Covid-19 crisis, which has much affected tourism and the fishing industry. “We have proposed to reorient part of the sectoral support to the special needs of the local fishing communities,” the representative stated and he added that they will continue engaging with local stakeholders as it is “important to take their views on board.”

Increased participation of the European Parliament in the process

In her draft recommendation, Caroline Roose underlines the need for more participation of the EP at “all stages of the procedures related to the agreement, its protocol and, where relevant, its renewal.” Indeed, the role of the EP has been to either consent or dissent to SFPAs and protocols that are sometimes already applied provisionally. The EP has had little say in the negotiation process and in the implementation of protocols.

Last week, in a joint position paper published with WWF and BirdLife Europe and Central Asia, and four African organisations (fishing organisations and NGOs), CFFA recommended increased involvement of the EP “as funding for these agreements comes directly from European taxpayers” and that the EP “has a crucial role to play in reinforcing” democratic and transparent processes (see recommendation number 2).

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