Key data
| Regulation | Council Decision (EU) 2026/1934 of 13 July 2026 — Protocol for the application of the EU-Seychelles Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (2026-2030) |
|---|---|
| Publication | 11 August 2026 |
| Entry into force | 13 July 2026 (provisional application) |
| Affected parties | European fishing companies operating in the Indian Ocean, especially Spanish and French tuna fleets |
| Category | Agriculture and Fisheries |
| Period | 2026-2030 |
| Official reference | OJ:L_202601934 |
European tuna vessels fishing in Seychelles waters have a new legal framework as of 13 July 2026. Council Decision (EU) 2026/1934 authorizes the signature and provisional application of the EU-Seychelles Sustainable Fisheries Protocol for the period 2026-2030, meaning that the new conditions are already enforceable even though formal ratification is pending.
Spain and France are the historically most active fleets in the Indian Ocean within the EU, and are the main ones affected by this change. Any fishing company that operates or plans to operate in that area must know the new rules before applying for licenses or planning fishing campaigns.
What does this regulation establish?
The Protocol renews and updates the EU-Seychelles Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement, establishing the conditions under which European vessels—mainly tuna vessels—can access Seychelles waters during the period 2026-2030. The central elements of the Protocol are:
| Element | Protocol content |
|---|---|
| Access to waters | Authorization for European vessels—mainly tuna vessels—to operate in Seychelles waters |
| Catch quotas | Establishment of specific catch quotas for the European fleet |
| Financial counterparts | EU economic commitments to Seychelles as consideration for access |
| Sustainability commitments | Sustainable fishing obligations linked to access |
| Licenses | New conditions for obtaining and maintaining fishing licenses |
| Catch reporting | Updated obligations for reporting and declaring catches |
| Validity period | 2026-2030, with provisional application from 13 July 2026 |
The operational key is provisional application: the Protocol has full legal effect from 13 July 2026, before the European Parliament formally ratifies it. This ensures there is no legal vacuum or interruption of access to fishing grounds, but also means that obligations are enforceable from that date.
Economic and operational impact
For fishing companies with vessels in the Indian Ocean, this Protocol has direct consequences in three areas:
- Licenses: Access conditions are renewed with the new Protocol. Licenses obtained under the previous framework (pre-2026) must be reviewed and, if necessary, adapted to the new conditions established for 2026-2030. Operating without a valid license under the new framework poses a risk of infringement.
- Catch quotas: The Protocol sets specific quotas for the European fleet. Exceeding assigned quotas can result in sanctions and loss of access to fishing grounds. Companies must know their individual quota and maintain strict control of declared catches.
- Catch reporting: Reporting obligations are updated. A deficient or incomplete reporting system can compromise license renewal and create problems with Seychelles and EU fishing authorities.
The financial counterparts that the EU pays to Seychelles for access to its fishing grounds are part of the institutional agreement, but the direct operational cost for each company is materialized in the price of licenses and compliance with sustainability and reporting obligations.
Who does it affect?
- Spanish shipowners and fishing companies with tuna vessels operating in the Indian Ocean
- French shipowners and fishing companies with activity in Seychelles waters
- Other European fleets with presence in the Indian Ocean operating under the EU-Seychelles Agreement
- Fleet managers and compliance officers in large fishing companies
- Legal advisors and consultants in the fishing sector managing international licenses
- Fishing producer organizations coordinating fishing campaigns in the Indian Ocean
Practical example
A Spanish shipping company with three purse-seine tuna vessels that have been operating in Seychelles waters under the previous Protocol must, as of 13 July 2026, verify that its access licenses comply with the new conditions established in the 2026-2030 Protocol.
If one of its vessels conducts a fishing campaign after that date without having reviewed and updated its license in accordance with the new framework, it would be operating under conditions that may not be valid, exposing the company to sanctions by Seychelles authorities and problems in reporting catches to European authorities.
Additionally, the compliance officer of that company must ensure that the catch reporting system of the three vessels complies with the new reporting obligations of the 2026-2030 Protocol, as deficient reporting can compromise license renewal for the next campaign.
What should companies do now?
- Review current licenses: Verify that access licenses to Seychelles waters for each vessel comply with the conditions of the new 2026-2030 Protocol. The conditions of the previous protocol are no longer applicable as of 13 July 2026.
- Know the assigned catch quotas: Identify the specific quotas that correspond to each vessel under the new Protocol and establish a real-time monitoring system to avoid exceeding them.
- Update the catch reporting system: Review internal reporting procedures to ensure they comply with the new reporting obligations established in the 2026-2030 Protocol.
- Review sustainability commitments: The Protocol includes sustainable fishing commitments linked to access. Identify what new sustainability obligations apply to each vessel and campaign.
- Consult with the producer organization or industry association: Industry organizations (such as Europêche or Cepesca in the Spanish case) typically centralize information on the specific conditions of new protocols and facilitate license processing.
- Document compliance: Maintain an updated record of licenses, quotas consumed and catch declarations, especially in case of inspections by Seychelles or EU authorities.
Frequently asked questions
When did the new EU-Seychelles 2026-2030 Fishing Protocol enter into force?
The Protocol has been in force since 13 July 2026 through provisional application, authorized by Council Decision (EU) 2026/1934. This means that the new conditions are enforceable from that date, although formal ratification by the European Parliament is pending. Publication in the EU Official Journal took place on 11 August 2026.
Which European fleets are affected by the fishing agreement with Seychelles?
The Protocol mainly affects the Spanish and French tuna fleets, historically the most active in the Indian Ocean within the EU. It may also affect other European fleets operating in Seychelles waters under the EU-Seychelles Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement.
What should fishing companies review in their licenses with the new Protocol?
Companies must verify that their access licenses to Seychelles waters comply with the new conditions established for the period 2026-2030, including assigned catch quotas, sustainability commitments and catch reporting obligations. The conditions of the previous protocol are no longer valid as of 13 July 2026.
What is provisional application and why is it relevant for shipowners?
Provisional application is a mechanism that allows an international agreement to have full legal effect before formal ratification by the European Parliament. For shipowners, this means there is no legal vacuum or interruption of access to Seychelles fishing grounds, but also that the obligations of the new Protocol—licenses, quotas, catch reporting—are enforceable from 13 July 2026, without waiting for ratification.
What happens if a vessel operates in Seychelles waters without complying with the new conditions of the 2026-2030 Protocol?
Operating without a valid license under the new framework or without complying with catch reporting obligations exposes the company to sanctions by Seychelles authorities and problems with European fishing authorities, including the risk of losing access to fishing grounds. The Protocol establishes access conditions and sustainability commitments whose non-compliance can compromise license renewal for future campaigns.
Official source
Consult complete regulation in official source
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=OJ:L_202601934