The CFFA`s observations focus on the stakes of a potential future protocol for the sustainable development of the local small-scale fishing sector, which is estimated at 15,000 fishermen and 25,000 processors and fishmongers, mostly women. These include: what are the means for access; how to improve the EU`s positive contribution to Liberia`s fisheries policy, particularly with regard to the use of sectoral assistance. In particular in the fight against IND fishing, Liberia was notified in 2016, in part because Liberian-flagged fishing vessels and reefer vessels are not controlled by the relevant fishing authority. Managing the challenges posed by an open registry of Liberia is complex. Beyond their role as a platform for dialogue on sustainability, it is not clear how the SFPA can help solve this problem. Our study used a review of existing literature and political documents. This included analysing catch data between the EU and the countries with which it entered into fisheries partnership agreements in West Africa between 2010 and 2014. In the case of a private agreement, financial contributions would only be paid by EU shipowners, which would „clearly mean a reduction in the obligation to use EUROPEAN funds and higher costs for EU shipowners“. Payments would be used for access and not to support fisheries policy, „which means that the potential and necessary support to improve the governance of Liberia`s fisheries, including a strengthened McS, would not be put in place, which would increase the risk of mismanagement of fisheries resources,“ the assessment said. The comparison between the signing of a bilateral VPA between Liberia and the EU or the signing of a private agreement between Liberia and the EU (and other) purse seine tuna vessels suggests that the „added value“ of EU agreements (compared to private agreements) lies in the fact that sectoral support for VPA provides a favourable environment for sustainable fishing activities in third countries. Transparency is an aspect that is currently being dealt with more effectively under EU public and public agreements, although there is still room for improvement, both in terms of the conditions of access for EU fleets and in improving information on the state of resources by possibly supporting research. In the long term, tuna-led initiatives, such as the Tuna Transparency Initiative, should ensure the same degree of transparency for private agreements. The agreement and protocol were adopted by decision (EU) 2016/1062 of 24.05.2016 (OJ L 200 of 29.12.2016, p.
1). (177 of 1.7.2016). The distribution of fishing opportunities was achieved by the Council Regulation (EU) 2015/2313 of 30.11.2015 (JO L 305 of 31.12.2015, p. 1). L328 of 12.12.2015). Given that Liberia`s EEZ has been an important fishing area for caning tuna for decades, foreign fleets of purse seine tuna – including Orthongel, which represents French seiners, and ANABAC and OPAGAC, which represent Spanish interests – have attempted to negotiate an agreement with the Liberian authorities in the form of a sharing agreement, published by the Liberian authorities. Around 40 EU vessels (i.e. vessels identified within and outside the EU) are covered by this regulation. This proposal is in addition to a fisheries agreement signed between Senegal and Liberia in January 2019, which allows up to 2,000 TJBs for shrimp trawling (5 vessels) for fishing from 4 nautical miles (the text of this agreement and protocol are available on request from the CFFA).
