ACP-EU Economic Partnership Agreements – Fisheries

The current non-reciprocal preferential trade relations under the Cotonou Partnership Agreement between the EU and ACP (African, Caribbean, Pacific) States, are due to be replaced by comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) between the EU and ACP regional groupings. A vital issue for ACP negotiators is to determine the key issues in each of the chapters of these proposed EPAs, define their interests, and identify various policy options. This paper on fisheries aims to give an overview of the fisheries issues at stake in the EPA negotiations. It provides, in a non-technical way, an introduction to, and a synthesis of the fisheries issues to be addressed in the negotiations. It highlights the main aspects of fisheries in international (bilateral and multi-lateral) agreements and its relevance for ACP countries, it discusses the EU’s likely position on fisheries in the EPA negotiations, and explores relevant options for the ACP States in fisheries negotiations with the EU.