Transparency

The UNFSS process continues to raise criticism from civil society organisations

The UNFSS process continues to raise criticism from civil society organisations

Several civil society organisations continue to express their opposition to the choices adopted by the UNFSS organisers two days before the start of the summit, their counter-mobilisation aims at opting for more just, inclusive and equitable food choices.

Gabon-EU SFPA: MEPs call for more transparency on the use of sectoral funds and for precautionary approach regarding deep-sea shrimp fishery

Gabon-EU SFPA: MEPs call for more transparency on the use of sectoral funds and for precautionary approach regarding deep-sea shrimp fishery

After 5 years of being “dormant”, the Commission negotiated a new fisheries agreement protocol with the Central African country, with a focus on developing the local tuna value chain.

The Gambia-EU SFPA: transparency is necessary to make the fight against IUU efficient

The Gambia-EU SFPA: transparency is necessary to make the fight against IUU efficient

The West African country has bought equipment for a Fisheries Monitoring Center with the SFPA sectoral support funds. Gambian fishers call for more transparency, including the publication of the list of fishing licenses which would facilitate participatory surveillance.

Senegal: "If fish is not there, we will not be able to fish, even if they gave us gold canoes"

Senegal: "If fish is not there, we will not be able to fish, even if they gave us gold canoes"

In an interview with Gaoussou Gueye, president of the Association for the Promotion and Empowerment of Maritime Fisheries (APRAPAM), he stresses the key issues that are missing from the agenda for the Presidential Council on Fisheries at the end of May.

COFI34 recap: Increased awareness and space for small-scale fisheries

COFI34 recap: Increased awareness and space for small-scale fisheries

More than 96 members, 39 intergovernmental organisations and 32 observer NGOs, including CFFA and its partner CAOPA, attended this 34th (online) session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries to discuss global fisheries issues.

CAOPA calls for a more sustainable and transparent framework for fishing joint ventures in Africa

CAOPA calls for a more sustainable and transparent framework for fishing joint ventures in Africa

Following the publication of a common position with CFFA in July 2020, African artisanal fishers are reviving the process of reflection started more than ten years ago on opaque foreign investment in African fisheries through fishing joint ventures.

Has the European Parliament listened to the Seychelles artisanal fishers concerns?

Has the European Parliament listened to the Seychelles artisanal fishers concerns?

During the SFPA negotiations, the local artisanal fishing organisation SFBOA, highlighted its priorities: the EU-Seychelles agreement should (i) contribute to reducing the pressure on tuna resources and on the environment; (ii) ensure transparency and more participation of the fisheries stakeholders and local communities, and (iii) use sectoral support funds primarily for the management of fisheries, and for the improvement of living and working conditions in the local fishing sector.

AU Blue Economy : EU reiterates its commitment to address corruption, promote transparency and participation of all stakeholders

AU Blue Economy : EU reiterates its commitment to address corruption, promote transparency and participation of all stakeholders

DG MARE and DG DEVCO jointly respond to the Communication of African artisanal professional fishing organisations (CAOPA) underscoring their concerns regarding the African Union’s blue economy strategy.

“A vibrant call to protect and promote African local artisanal fisheries” ahead of the EU-Africa Summit

“A vibrant call to protect and promote African local artisanal fisheries” ahead of the EU-Africa Summit

At a webinar jointly organized by the FAO and the German Presidency and hosted by Members of the European Parliament, CFFA partner CAOPA calls on EU and AU, their members and their citizens to work together to implement, through transparent, participatory and gender-sensitive national action plans to implement the FAO Voluntary Small scale Fisheries Guidelines.

Senegal: The fisheries ministry will not issue any of the licences to the 54 vessels of Chinese and Turkish origin

Senegal: The fisheries ministry will not issue any of the licences to the 54 vessels of Chinese and Turkish origin

The Senegalese branch of Transparency International underscored the corruption and lack of transparency in fisheries governance and provided recommendations to improve it.

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

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 EP Fisheries Committee voted the extension of the EU-Mauritania SFPA protocol, highlighting issues for renegotiation

The EP Fisheries Committee voted the extension of the EU-Mauritania SFPA protocol, highlighting issues for renegotiation

The report by MEP Clara Aguilera cautions that this extension should not make negotiations for the new protocol drag, and includes key demands from the Mauritanian small-scale fisheries sector, such as progress on transparency and the use of sectoral support for the sustainable development of the local sector.

Senegalese fisheries stakeholders protest against its government intention to issue 54 fishing licenses to Chinese and Turkish vessels

Senegalese fisheries stakeholders protest against its government intention to issue 54 fishing licenses to Chinese and Turkish vessels

In the midst of the Coronavirus crisis, the Senegalese consultative committee for the attribution of fishing licences was consulted via email for this allocation. Several fisheries organisations have raised sustainability concerns and warned it could endanger artisanal fishing communities’ livelihoods.

Civil society and artisanal fisheries organisations react to the new EU-Senegal fisheries protocol

Civil society and artisanal fisheries organisations react to the new EU-Senegal fisheries protocol

As the proposal is being presented at the European Parliament PECH committee and to the Senegalese National Assembly, APRAPAM and CAOPA ask the government to publish all access agreements, demand more transparency on the use of sectoral support funds and express concern on the access to some fish stocks.