At a global level, there are growing demands for sustainability, hygiene and safety, traceability of fisheries products and the fight
against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, both from the markets and from international organisations as well as
consumers. In response, Guinea-Bissau's fisheries sector has benefited from various EU support programmes of a sectoral and
technical nature, where the certification process and the institutional capacity of inspection services have been strengthened. The
long-standing partnership between Guinea-Bissau and the EU is notable for the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA),
which generates significant public revenue and provides a basis for more regulated exploitation of marine resources. However, the
national capacity to fully capitalise on the benefits of this agreement remains limited, due to a shortage of technical skills, insufficient
sanitary control and a lack of certification systems compatible with EU requirements. Against this backdrop, it is essential to
implement technical assistance support that build on the achievements of previous interventions and strengthens the institutional,
technical and operational capacities of public and private players in the national fisheries sector. In addition, this initiative is fully
aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the priorities of the European Union's Global Gateway
programme, which aims to strengthen the connectivity and resilience of partner countries by promoting sustainable trade, good
governance and inclusive economic development. It also responds to the commitments made under the Cotonou Agreement and
the United Nations Cooperation Framework 2022-2026 for Guinea-Bissau, particularly regarding economic transformation and
institutional capacity building. At a national level, this intervention falls within the axes of the Strategic Development Plan for Fisheries
and Aquaculture (PEDPA) 2023-2027 and at a regional level it is consistent with the Policies and Directives in force at continental,
regional and sub-regional level, through the African Union (AU), the Regional Fisheries Organisations (RFOs) and the Economic
Integration Organisations or Regional Economic Communities (RECs). It is against this backdrop of structural and institutional
complexity, combined with the need to comply with demanding international standards, that technical advice with a
methodological approach that is robust and sustainable, participatory and above all adapted to the local context becomes
necessary. The proposed methodology, focused on sanitary compliance, is based on the combination of specialised technical
assistance, a review of the regulatory frameworks essential for the exercise of functions, capacity building for the inspectors with the
promotion of practical and sustainable solutions within the scope of official controls, complemented by direct support for private sector
players to comply with hygiene and health requirements and good practices