On Tuesday 14 December, the European Parliament approved the new protocol to the fisheries partnership agreement between the EU and Gabon (see EUROPE 12822/26, 12656/9).
The report by Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (Renew Europe, Spain) on this dossier was adopted with 478 votes in favour, 148 against (including the Greens/EFA group and some S&D members) and 71 abstentions.
MEPs backed the five-year protocol (2021-2026), which offers EU vessels fishing opportunities in Gabonese waters (for a total catch of 32 000 tonnes per year). In return, the EU contributes €2.6 million per year.
Caroline Roose (Greens/EFA, France) told EUROPE that the agreement “does not benefit local communities at all” (no job creation). She also mentioned European funds created for infrastructures (quays) that are not used.
Roose also mentioned “transparency” problems in Gabon, as the president is on the list of people allegedly involved in tax evasion. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)