Plenary Session: Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the EU and Cape Verde

Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cape Verde (2019-2024) (A9-0024/2020 - Cláudia Monteiro de Aguiar)

I voted against this Agreement between the EU and Cape Verde, in line with the Greens/EFA Group.

The main problem lies in the impact on the shark population. Approximately 20% of the catches in this agreement involve sharks, but the data presented is not sufficient and there are local groups that have highlighted the overexploitation of sharks in Cape Verde waters.

There are also other concerns, such as the need to improve control and monitoring of the sector.

Cape Verde also has difficulties in attracting landings at its ports, as there are no relevant port investments, without which there will be no significant improvements - in social terms - for the local transformation sector. Also related to this problem, a recurring issue is the lack of inclusion of local communities in the identification of sectoral support projects.

I voted in favour of the resolution that accompanies the agreement, because it highlights the potential negative impact on the shark population (blue sharks are being targeted by surface longliners). It calls for enhanced monitoring and data collection and regrets the provisional application of this agreement before the European Parliament has given its consent, which has been happening consistently.

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