Programme 211 kb

The 2 days meeting will include plenary presentations on the themes and specific subjects listed below.

Introduction: Overview of ACP-EU relations: Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) and Fisheries Partnership Agreements (FPAs)

The European Commission and representatives from ACP regions (COMESA and Pacific) will present an overview of EPAs and FPAs, focusing on their current state of implementation and practical achievements so far. The Dutch presidency of the EU will provide an overview of priorities in the fisheries sector according to the EU Council.

Session 1: Management of fisheries resources
This first part of the meeting is concerned with the problem of sustainable use of fisheries resources: taking into account that 75% of the world’s fish stocks are being fished at or above their sustainable limits. The need to know the existing policies/ fisheries management plans, or initiatives in place as well as the knowledge on the state of the resource, are critical steps before identifying the scope of collaboration between ACP and the EU.

1. Regional approach to fisheries management among ACP countries. North-South and South-South efforts and initiatives focusing on the development of sustainable fisheries practices.
   • A fisheries policy and a fisheries management plan are a prerequisite to a sustainable management of the resource;
   • The improvement of joint research programmes and scientific cooperation;
   • The relevance of sharing data collection and sharing of information and experiences;
   • Coordination and efforts towards harmonization at regional level.
2. New institutions, rules, procedures and financing opportunities within the framework of ACP-EU relations in order to monitor fisheries and IUU fishing. This session will identify current effort and initiatives in ACP countries and regions and will discuss opportunities for partnership with the European Commission:
   • Policy for Partnership Agreements (EC and COMESA);
   • Legislation related to IUU;
     • National legislation and a harmonization of policies at the regional level (SADC);
     • EC efforts in fighting the IUU;
   • Involvement and contribution of fishermen’s organisations to tackle the issue of illegal fishing (collective initiatives);
     • EC perspective towards the geographical and sectoral dialogue with ACP countries and regions.

An EC perspective and specific case studies on the experience of some ACP regions will illustrate the previous points, for instance:

• SADC regional project on Monitoring and Surveillance ;
• Possibly a regional project from the Pacific Fisheries Agency, on policy coordination, networking and harmonization;
• The case of the International Commission for the Atlantic Tuna Conservation (ICCAT) and/or IOTC (Indian Ocean Tuna Commission);
• Example of research on fisheries from West Africa. Regional initiatives (CSRP).

Session 2: Market access / value added operations for fisheries products
During the second session, opportunities and obstacles to the development of local ACP industries will be discussed. To this aim, the following topics have been identified:

1. Social and economic aspects of negotiations within the WTO, CFP and FPAs on populations who rely on ACP fisheries for their livelihoods;
   • Rules of origin;
   • Financial aspects of Fisheries Partnerships Agreements;
   • SPS measures;
   • Traceability, quality and hygiene.
2. Access and sustainable utilization of the resource at local and regional level Availability of fish at local and regional level (and implication for food security and revenues for local populations). Input from the private sector (both artisanal and industrial) and fishermen organisation’s in terms of practical experiences;
3. Identification of value-added products with highest economic returns, including new niche markets, diversification and processing strategies. How to assist ACP countries to develop their processing industry? How could ACP countries diversify their productions? How could environmental concerns, in particular the problem of fishing operations’ selectivity be addressed? How could the lack of investment financing and of joint ventures with ACP companies be tackled? What are the consumer’s needs at EU and ACP national and regional levels? Input will be provided by organisations supporting the private sector in ACP countries (CDE and ProInvest) and by researchers.

Conclusion
After the exchanges on the above-mentioned issues, a wrap-up session could be devoted with the EC to identify ACP concerns and needs which could be taken into account by the various DG, including as part of the coming negotiations.