On 31 July 2026, Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela, answering a parliamentary question from Özlem Demirel (The Left), detailed the objectives and scope of the upcoming 'Seahorse Advanced (A)' project, a new EU initiative to strengthen maritime surveillance and coordination along the Atlantic route to counter irregular migration. The project, funded with EUR 3 million from the NDICI-Global Europe instrument, will cover Senegal, Mauritania, Guinea, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Cabo Verde, involving their competent national authorities responsible for maritime surveillance, counter-smuggling and trafficking, and prevention of irregular migration. Síkela stressed that Seahorse A is a new project, not a continuation of a multilateral network, and will build on results from previous Seahorse initiatives, which have now ended. He also confirmed close coordination with Frontex, including participation in workshops and trainings, and information sharing via the EUROSUR system.
The answer comes in response to a question from Demirel, who had raised concerns about the project's predecessor, the 'SEAHORSE Mediterranean Network', which aimed to strengthen the Libyan Coast Guard's search and rescue capacity but failed due to lack of cooperation from North African states. Demirel also noted that the signing of the Atlantic project was planned for the first quarter of 2026. The Commission's answer clarifies that the project is part of the Migration and Jobs Package for Western Africa, adopted as an individual measure for 2025, which seeks to support vulnerable populations by improving migration management, addressing root causes of irregular migration, and promoting socio-economic opportunities. The project will complement other ongoing initiatives in the region, with varying degrees of involvement for each country based on specific needs and contexts.
The new project signals a shift from the earlier Mediterranean approach, which focused on building the capacity of a single state's coast guard, to a broader regional framework involving multiple West African nations. This reflects a more collaborative strategy, though it also raises questions about the effectiveness of such cooperation given the previous failure in Libya. The Commission's emphasis on coordination with Frontex and EUROSUR indicates a continued focus on border surveillance and information sharing, which may raise concerns about data privacy and sovereignty for participating countries. The project's success will depend on the willingness of West African states to cooperate, a factor that proved problematic in the Mediterranean context. The Commission has not specified a timeline for implementation beyond the planned signing in early 2026, and no further details on the conditions for information transmission to Frontex were provided in the answer.