By: Kebba Ansu Manneh
The European Union (EU) Ambassador to The Gambia, Imma Roca I Cortes, has called for a comprehensive assessment of the Gambia-EU Sustainable Fishing Partnership Agreement (SFPA), citing a surge in Gambian-flagged vessels, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and the agreement’s lack of profitability. The remarks were made during a special lunch session with Gambian journalists on Wednesday, October 23, 2025.
Ambassador Roca I Cortes emphasized that while the SFPA remains in place, its implementation hinges on renegotiating protocols to address pressing issues. A key concern is the growing number of Gambian-flagged vessels, which she noted are inadequately monitored, increasing the risk of IUU fishing. “If The Gambia or any other country gets yellow-flagged by international fisheries bodies, the agreement cannot be signed,” she warned, underscoring the importance of robust vessel monitoring to avoid the risk of sanctions that could jeopardize renegotiations.
The ambassador revealed that the European Court of Auditors has flagged the SFPA as unprofitable. Despite the EU’s annual contributions of €550,000 and an additional €275,000 for fisheries support, European vessels have largely ceased fishing in Gambian waters due to overfished hake stocks and low tuna catches. “In the last three years, the usage rate of the agreement was under 1%,” Roca I Cortes noted. “Last year, in 2024, no European vessels fished in Gambian waters.”
She further explained that the European Commission is conducting a global review of similar agreements, prompted by the Court of Auditors’ conclusion that they offer little value for money. “We are paying, but we are not getting anything back,” she said, adding that the EU is reflecting on a worldwide strategy to determine how and with whom to continue these partnerships.
The ambassador stressed that the EU remains open to continuing the SFPA if The Gambia is willing to engage. “We have a case open with The Gambia that we are trying to solve, and information is being exchanged,” she said. However, she cautioned that the overfishing of hake and the scarcity of tuna have severely limited the agreement’s viability. The EU is now assessing new approaches and strategies, which, once finalized, will open the door for countries like The Gambia to renegotiate the SFPA’s protocols.
Roca I Cortes also provided an overview of the EU’s interventions in The Gambia from 2021 to 2024, highlighting the bloc’s commitment to supporting the country despite the challenges with the SFPA. She urged The Gambia to address IUU fishing and strengthen vessel monitoring to ensure the partnership’s future.
As the EU reevaluates its global fisheries strategy, The Gambia must demonstrate its commitment to sustainable fishing practices. The outcome of the ongoing assessment will determine whether the SFPA can be revitalized, offering mutual benefits for both parties.
