Biosphere 1 criticizes fisheries agreement between the European Union and Cape Verde

The president of the Biosfera 1 Association for nature conservation in Cape Verde, Tommy Melo, assured that the fishing agreement signed between the European Union (EU) and Cape Verde does not present any mitigation measure against accidental fishing.

Tommy Melo was speaking for the association's youtube channel, in reaction to the new fisheries agreement signed between the EU and Cape Verde. According to the agreement, there is no capture limit. It allows boats from EU countries to fish eight thousand tons of tuna for €750 thousand per year.

According to the same, the fishing agreement does not present “no mitigation measures against accidental fishing” and if Cape Verde is considered one of the 10 marine biodiversity hotspot countries, it understands that there should be mitigation measures for turtles and seabirds.

“Where are the mitigation measures for turtles and seabirds? Mitigation measures that these boats need to use when they are fishing in European waters, although here in Africa it is not necessary. Why? Is that right?” he asks.

In case of accidental fishing, exceeding the determined limit, the agreement provides that they have to pay a fine equivalent to the same amount they already paid for the eight thousand tons.

For Tommy Melo, the agreement is not fair, knowing that Cape Verdeans pay 600 escudos per kilo of tuna, while the EU only pays 6 escudos for the same amount of the species. agreement in a “coherent, responsible and sustainable way”.