Monitoring and evaluation
The purpose of this specific contract was to provide the European Commission (the 'Commission') with an independent ex-post evaluation of the 2019-2024 implementing Protocol to the 2007 Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA) and an ex-ante evaluation of a new and implementing Protocol to the existing FPA that would cover the period after the current one will expire in December 2024.
This evaluation was carried out by Poseidon (Europe) in association with F&S within the MARE/2021/OP/0001 multiple framework service contract in cascade for better regulation related activities on Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements (SFPAs).
The evaluation study aimed at supporting the assessment of the viability of the existing or potential future arrangements as required under the CFP. It provided the Commission with data and technical, economic and social analyses of the fisheries resources and related economic activities, including feedback on the performance of the current Protocol. This should enable the Commission to assess and decide on the future needs.
It evaluated the features of a potential new Protocol, and prepared possible negotiations between the Commission on behalf of the EU and the partner country. It also provided information on the EU cooperation with São Tomé e Príncipe on related policies, for example the EU development and cooperation policies and interests in São Tomé e Príncipe related to fisheries, marine and maritime policies or perspectives for investment in fisheries transformation, or for trade of fisheries and aquaculture products between the EU and São Tomé e Príncipe.
The Commission used this evaluation study as a tool for improving the quality and coherence of the decision-making.
The report is scheduled to be available to the public on the website of the Publications Office of the EU.