Gabon’s decision to open negotiations with the European Union on a fresh sustainable fishing partnership is drawing a mix of reactions, with stakeholders weighing the fallout and what comes next. The Council of Ministers, meeting on Friday, September 18, 2026, at the presidential palace in Port-Gentil, authorised the launch of talks for a new Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) and its implementing protocol.
The ministerial gathering also gave the green light for an official notification of Gabon’s position to the European Union, the creation of a national negotiating team, and a schedule for the various rounds of discussions. The government is aiming for 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 June 4, 2025, of the fishing agreement that tied it to the European Union. The protocol signed in June 2021, which expired on June 28, 2026, had allowed up to 33 European vessels to fish for tuna species in Gabonese waters. In return, the EU paid Gabon notably 1.6 million euros per year, plus contributions from shipowners.
The renewal of the partnership comes as Libreville and Brussels have already engaged in discussions about the future of their cooperation in the sector. In June 2026, the European Union expressed its willingness to negotiate a “new generation” agreement and a new implementing protocol, taking into account the concerns raised by Gabon.
Background and reactions
The Gabonese government had announced its intention not to renew the agreement in its current form, judging it to be unbalanced to Gabon’s detriment, both economically and in terms of local valorisation of fishery resources.
It is against this backdrop that the European Union’s ambassador to Gabon, Cécile Abadie, gave an exclusive interview, in which she called for dialogue rather than confrontation, stating: “My wish is that we can sit around the table and discuss each of these points as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
That statement reflects Brussels’ desire to maintain dialogue and pave the way for negotiating a new partnership.
For his part, Minister Aimé Martial Massamba has made fishery sovereignty, the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and the development of a sustainable blue economy among his department’s priorities.
What lies ahead
As negotiations get underway, the focus will be on whether the new agreement can address Gabon’s concerns while maintaining a productive relationship with the EU. The coming rounds of talks will reveal whether both sides can reach a deal that balances economic benefits with sustainable practices.
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