São Tomé and Príncipe is an island country in the Gulf of Guinea.

The Spanish fleet can fish in Sao Tome and Principe again

SPAIN
Tuesday, April 23, 2019, 22:00 (GMT + 9)

The European Union (EU) and Sao Tome and Principe have signed a new fishing protocol that will allow the return to this fishing ground of about twenty Basque and Galician vessels.

The new protocol, signed in São Tomé during the fourth round of negotiations, will last five years and will offer fishing opportunities to 26 EU tuna seiners and 6 surface longliners, with a total reference tonnage of 8000 tonnes. In return, the EU will have to pay a financial compensation of EUR 400,000 for access to resources plus another EUR 440,000 million for sector support.

Among the many rivers that drain into the Gulf of Guinea are the Niger and the Volta. The coastline on the gulf includes the Bight of Benin and the Bight of Bonny.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food highlighted that although the access fee for vessels was increased moderately, the price per ton remains at the same level it was during the last years of the previous protocol.

Spanish vessels had to abandon this fishing ground after the expiration of the previous protocol on May 22, 2018. Now, the extended duration to five years will allow to ensure the stability of the fishing activity in the waters of the Gulf of Guinea.

The new protocol will enter into force once the ratification process has been completed by both parties.

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