Gabon ends fishing partnership with European Union, citing imbalanced benefits

Gabonese authorities stated that the current mechanism primarily benefits European shipowners, with no significant economic returns for Gabon. This decision aligns with the position of the President of the Republic, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, who announced in June 2025 his intention to terminate the partnership, deeming it "deeply imbalanced." The government's main concern is that European vessels primarily catch tuna in Gabonese waters but land their catches outside the country, depriving Gabon of benefits from industrial processing, job creation, and value chain development.

Libreville now aims to implement a new economic doctrine requiring catches in Gabonese waters to be landed and processed in national ports to strengthen economic sovereignty, stimulate the seafood processing industry, and increase employment. The European Union, in a statement on June 26, acknowledged the termination but expressed openness to constructively and transparently examine Gabon's concerns. Brussels also stated its readiness to negotiate a new, mutually beneficial sustainable fishing partnership agreement and implementation protocol.

The Gabonese government had previously announced its intention to terminate the agreement during a Council of Ministers meeting on June 4, 2025, citing that revenues generated were far below the value of catches in Gabonese water