The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food, Luis Planas, and the Minister of the Sea of the Republic of Cape Verde, Jorge Santos, met today in Madrid to strengthen fisheries cooperation between the two countries.
Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación
Spain and Cape Verde to strengthen fisheries cooperation through EU protocols
Spain and Cape Verde have agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding to develop and promote cooperation, research, and training in the fisheries sector of both countries.
Currently, there is a renewed fishing protocol between the European Union (EU) and Cape Verde, which lasts until July 2029 and benefits the Spanish fleet. Specifically, 37 Spanish vessels benefit from this protocol.
According to the Spanish Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food, Luis Planas, this protocol promotes sustainable management of marine resources, improves food security and nutrition, and supports the economic diversification of Cape Verde.
For 2025, 17 licenses have been processed for Spanish vessels so far, including 10 surface longliners and 6 freezer tuna purse seiners, along with a support vessel.
Additionally, Planas expressed Spain's desire for the granting of the cold storage platform in Mindelo. Here, the longline fleet conducts transshipment and provisioning operations, and numerous Cape Verdean sailors are employed on Spanish vessels.
European Union fishing agreements and protocols
During the opening of the annual conference of the National Association of Freezer Trawler Owners of Cephalopods (ANACEF), the Secretary General of Fisheries, Isabel Artime, focused on the agreements with West African countries because "they offer demersal fishing opportunities under different modalities."
These agreements are based on the conservation of fishery resources and environmental sustainability, as well as on job creation and food security, thanks to fish protein supply to local markets.
Furthermore, these protocols play a significant role in maintaining a competitive and sustainable Spanish fleet. More than 80 vessels engaged in fishing activities in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans in 2024.
Finally, the EU and the Republic of Guinea-Bissau confirmed in May 2024 the renewal of their fishing agreement, which also benefits the Spanish vessel activities in the area.
