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

This Agreement provides for a partnership and a framework for legal, environmental, economic and social governance in the area of fisheries in Madagascar’s fishing zone. It lays down: (i) the conditions under which Union vessels may engage in fishing activities Madagascar’s fishing zone; (ii) economic and financial cooperation in the fisheries sector for establishing a partnership in support of the fisheries sector and strengthening ocean governance; (iii) administrative cooperation for the implementation of the financial contribution, and scientific and technical cooperation for sustainable exploitation of fishery resources in Madagaskar; (iv) cooperation contributing to the promotion of the blue economy, in particular through the processing and enhancement of fishery products, the preservation of the integrity of the marine environment and the sustainable management of marine resources; (v) economic and social cooperation between operators; and (vi) cooperation on control and surveillance measures for monitoring activities in Madagascar’s fishing zone to ensure compliance with existing legislation and to support the effectiveness of measures for conserving fishery resources and managing fishing activities, especially in the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The Malagasy Authority shall authorize Union vessels to engage in fishing activities in Madagascar’s fishing zone in accordance with this Agreement and under the conditions laid down in the Protocol.
Any dispute concerning the interpretation or application of this Agreement may be resolved through consultations, if such consultation fails, through the recourse to the jurisdiction of an international body, subject to the consent of both Parties. The implementation of this Agreement may be suspended at the initiative of one of the Parties under the conditions referred to in Article 20. This Agreement shall apply for a period of four years from the date of its provisional application, unless terminated in accordance with Article 21. The Protocol attached to this Agreement sets out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution applicable between 2023 to 2027.