Following the restoration of constitutional order in Guinea-Bissau, the EU and Guinea-Bissau have signed a new three-year fisheries Protocol under the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the two parties. EU boats, mostly from Spain, Portugal, France, Greece and Italy, will now be able to resume fishing in local waters following a two year interruption.

Following an eight year hiatus the EU and Senegal have today signed a new five-year Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement. The agreement will allow up to 38 EU boats to fish in Senegalese waters in return for a €8.69m payment by the EU.

A NAFO Intern Program allows students, post graduates or early career individuals from NAFO member countries an opportunity to improve their skills, enhance their experience and learn about NAFO and its activities.

The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) did not manage to reach a viable agreement on the establishment of marine protected areas in Antarctica at its 33rd Annual Meeting held in Hobart, Australia, from 20 to 31 October 2014.

In a fourth round of talks on renewing the Protocol to the EU-Mauritania Fishing Partnership Agreement, the parties were unable to reach an agreement on a number of points, including finances. They therefore decided to suspend the discussions, held in Brussels on 9-10th October, to enable both parties to make the necessary internal consultations.

The European Commission has welcomed the outcomes of the 36th Annual Meeting of the North Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO) held in Vigo, Spain from 22 to 26 September 2014.

The setting of Total Allowable Catch for NAFO fish stocks will take centre stage at the 36th Annual Meeting to be held in Vigo, Galicia from 22-26 September 2014.

Since 14 September 2014, eight shark and ray species have received extra protection from unsustainable trade. They have been listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and now have to be accompanied by export or import permits issued by EU countries when they enter or leave the EU market.