Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Gambia.

The Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Gambia establishes the principles, rules and procedures governing: (a) the conditions under which European Union vessels may engage in fishing activities in the Gambian fishing zone; (b) economic, financial, technical and scientific cooperation in the fisheries sector with a view to promoting sustainable fishing in the Gambian fishing zone and the development of the Gambian fisheries and maritime sectors; (c) cooperation on management, control and surveillance measures in the Gambian fishing zone with a view to ensuring that the above rules and conditions are complied with and that the measures for the conservation of fish stocks and management of fishing activities, in particular those concerning the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, are effective; (d) partnerships between operators aimed at developing economic activities in the fisheries sector and related activities, in the common interest.
The Parties undertake to promote sustainable fisheries in the Gambian fishing zone on the basis of the principle of non-discrimination between the different vessels present in that zone. On the other hand, the Parties agree that Euroepan Union vessels shall fish only the surplus of the allowable catch referred to in article 62(2) and (3) of United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and established in a clear and transparent manner on the basis of available and relevant scientific advice and relevant information exchanged between the Parties concerning the total fishing effort on the relevant stocks by all vessels operating in the fishing area.
The Annex to the Agreement contains the Protocol on the implementation of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of the Gambia, which sets out detailed provisions relating to fishing opportunities; financial contribution; fishing authorizations; conservation technical measures; control, monitoring and surveillance; landing and transhipment; satellite-based vessel monitoring system (VMS); observers.