German MEP Siegbert Frank Droese (ESN) has asked the European Commission to clarify the status of nine Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements (SFPAs) that may be dormant, raising concerns about the effectiveness of EU external fisheries policy and its impact on EU fishing fleets and partner countries.
In a written parliamentary question submitted on 9 April 2026, Droese cited a recent event co-organised by the Long-Distance Advisory Council and the European Economic and Social Committee, where it was suggested that many SFPAs are not being actively used. He specifically named agreements with Equatorial Guinea, Liberia, Micronesia, Morocco, Mozambique, Senegal, the Solomon Islands, Seychelles and The Gambia.
The MEP asks three concrete questions: whether these nine SFPAs are indeed dormant; how the Commission defines 'dormancy' and whether EU fishing operations have fully ceased in each partner country's waters; and what measures the Commission is taking to reactivate these agreements.
Droese's questions seek to establish the factual basis of the claim and push for a clear definition of dormancy, which could have implications for EU budget spending and the credibility of the SFPA programme. The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks; its answer will signal whether it views dormancy as a temporary or systemic problem and what policy steps it envisages.
Policy orientation
The question reflects a concern that EU funds allocated to SFPAs may not be delivering the intended benefits for EU fishers or partner countries. By pressing for concrete reactivation measures, Droese signals a desire for more active management of these agreements, potentially favouring either renegotiation or termination of dormant ones.
Expected follow-up
The Commission's written answer will clarify the legal and operational status of the nine SFPAs and may outline plans for review or reform. This could influence upcoming negotiations on new or renewed agreements.