On Tuesday 12 May, the European Commission adopted legislative proposals on the conclusion of a new four-year protocol with the Seychelles allowing European vessels to continue their tuna fishing activities in the waters of the Indian Ocean archipelago (see EUROPE 13808/30).
The protocol (for the period 2026-2030) provides fishing opportunities for 30 tuna seiners (17 for Spain, 12 for France and one for Italy) and eight surface longliners (4 for France, 2 for Portugal and 2 for Spain), as part of the sustainable fisheries partnership agreement between the two parties.
The EU’s annual financial contribution is €5.75 million, including €3 million to support Seychelles’ sectoral fisheries policy.
The partnership also aims to strengthen cooperation with the Seychelles on the sustainable management of fisheries resources and ocean governance.
An evaluation carried out in 2025 concluded that the agreement was of strategic interest to both European shipowners and the Seychelles, particularly given the archipelago’s key role in processing and exporting Indian Ocean tuna to the European Union.
Link to proposals: https://aeur.eu/f/lvn (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)