(3 Minutes Read)
The European Union (EU) Ambassador to The Gambia, Imma Roca I Cortes, has called for a comprehensive review of the Gambia-EU Sustainable Fishing Partnership Agreement (SFPA), citing major challenges such as the rise of Gambian-flagged vessels, increasing incidents of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and the lack of profitability of the agreement.
Speaking during a lunch session with Gambian journalists on October 23, 2025, Ambassador Roca I Cortes stressed that although the SFPA remains active, its continuation depends on renegotiating the current protocols to address key weaknesses. She expressed concern that the rapid growth in Gambian-flagged fishing vessels has not been matched with proper oversight, heightening the risk of IUU activities.
She warned that any international yellow-card sanction against The Gambia for poor fisheries management could suspend or block the signing of future agreements. “Robust vessel monitoring and regulation are essential to prevent sanctions and safeguard future cooperation,” she emphasized.
The ambassador disclosed that the European Court of Auditors had recently categorized the SFPA as financially unviable. Despite the EU providing an annual €550,000 payment plus €275,000 in fisheries support, European vessels have virtually stopped operating in Gambian waters. Overfishing of hake and dwindling tuna stocks have rendered the arrangement unprofitable, with the usage rate falling below 1% in the past three years. “In 2024, not a single EU vessel fished in Gambian waters,” she noted.
Ambassador Roca I Cortes added that the European Commission is conducting a global assessment of similar fisheries agreements after the Court of Auditors found they offer limited value for money. “We are investing funds but receiving little in return,” she said, explaining that the EU is rethinking its worldwide fisheries partnership strategy to ensure greater efficiency and accountability.
Despite the setbacks, she affirmed the EU’s willingness to continue collaboration with The Gambia—provided the country strengthens its regulatory framework and combats IUU fishing. “We are in ongoing discussions with The Gambia, exchanging information to resolve outstanding issues,” she said. However, she reiterated that overexploitation of hake and low tuna availability have severely affected the partnership’s viability.
The EU, she explained, is now developing new strategies and policy directions. Once finalized, these will form the basis for potential renegotiations with partner countries, including The Gambia, to modernize and align the SFPA with sustainable fishing goals.
Roca I Cortes also reviewed the EU’s development initiatives in The Gambia between 2021 and 2024, reaffirming the bloc’s broader commitment to the country’s progress beyond fisheries. She urged Gambian authorities to prioritize vessel monitoring and enforcement to restore trust and ensure long-term cooperation.
Read Also;
https://trendsnafrica.com/suggestion-to-annul-morocco-eu-fishing-agreement/
As the EU redefines its global fisheries strategy, The Gambia’s ability to demonstrate strong governance and sustainable fishing practices will be decisive. The results of the current assessment will ultimately determine whether the SFPA can be revitalized to provide mutual, sustainable benefits for both The Gambia and the European Union.
