Fisheries Partnership Agreements – Rebranding or a real step towards sustainability?

Abstract

The earth’s fish stocks are declining. Due to fierce competition, the hunt for a share of the limited resource is intensified. African countries – many struggling against poverty and famine - sell out fishing opportunities to the over-capitalised European fleet. Instead of helping to lift the African fisheries sector into progress, the sell-out of fishing rights serves the interests of the heavily subsidized European fleet. Today, agreements exist with 20 countries and correspond to a Community – and European tax-payer - expense of 137 million euros per year.