EU and Morocco to sign new protocol for fisheries agreement

The protocol defines the fishing opportunities offered to EU vessels, based on the surplus available in the fisheries resources in the Moroccan fishing zones, as well as the financial contribution due, separately, for access rights and for contribution in development aid for Morocco's sectoral fisheries policy. The new protocol seeks to extend the provisions of the expired protocol for one year.

 

The partnership agreement with Morocco is among the EU's three biggest FPAs; the EU paid €144 million for fishing rights during the previous protocol's four-year period of validity. The protocol is important for the EU's long-distance fleets as it allows vessels from 11 member states to operate in Moroccan waters.

 

However, the press release said that for some member states, one of the issues to consider is whether the local population of Western Sahara has been benefiting from the agreement. Under the old protocol, the Moroccan authorities provided the relevant information to the Commission in December 2010, establishing that the population of this region has been benefiting from the agreement.

 

Now, a specific provision has been introduced indicating that before the expiry of the protocol, Morocco will submit a report on the sectoral support provided for by this protocol, in particular including its anticipated economic and social impact and its geographical distribution.

 

The new protocol covers the period from 28 February 2011 to 27 February 2012. It will be signed by the parties on 13 July 2011.


ENPI