Gabon has taken a decisive step toward reshaping its fishing relationship with the European Union. The Minister of Fisheries, Maritime Affairs and Blue Economy, Aimé Martial Massamba, has been tasked with preparing a new fisheries partnership. Meeting on Friday, 18 September 2026 at the presidential palace in Port-Gentil, the Council of Ministers greenlit the launch of negotiations for a new Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) and its implementing protocol.
The Council also approved the formal notification of Gabon’s position to the EU, the creation of a national negotiating team, and a schedule for the various rounds of talks. The government aims to secure a partnership described as renewed, balanced and mutually beneficial, while safeguarding Gabon’s sovereignty over its fishery resources and their sustainable exploitation.
This move follows Gabon’s denunciation on 4 June 2025 of the fishing agreement that bound it to the EU. The protocol signed in June 2021, which expired on 28 June 2026, had allowed up to 33 European vessels to fish for tuna species in Gabonese waters. In return, the EU paid Gabon €1.6 million per year, supplemented by contributions from shipowners.
The renewal comes as Libreville and Brussels have already begun talks on the future of their cooperation in the sector. In June 2026, the EU expressed willingness to negotiate a ‘new generation’ agreement and a new implementing protocol, taking into account Gabon’s concerns.
Context
The Gabonese government had announced its intention not to renew the agreement in its current form, arguing that it was unbalanced to Gabon’s detriment, both economically and in terms of local valorisation of fishery resources.
In this context, the EU Ambassador to Gabon, Cécile Abadie, gave an exclusive interview in which she called for dialogue over confrontation, stating: ‘My wish is that we can sit around the table and discuss each of these points as quickly and efficiently as possible‘.
Her remarks reflect Brussels’ desire to maintain dialogue and pave the way for negotiating a new partnership.
Minister Aimé Martial Massamba has made fisheries sovereignty, the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and the development of a sustainable blue economy top priorities for his ministry.
Nkili Akieme
