The European Union (EU) will evaluate a possible renewal of the fishing agreement with Morocco that ends this Monday. A spokesperson for the European Commission has stated that the European institution is in "close consultation" with the authorities in Rabat in light of the current circumstances, limitations and economic and environmental parameters.
Andrés Cedrés, manager of Optuna 42, which brings together the tuna fleet of Lanzarote, explained to La Voz the "importance of the renewal for the island's fishermen", due to the fishing carried out in Moroccan waters and especially because "otherwise we will run out of personnel", since a good part of the fishermen are hired in Morocco.
Cedrés explained that this Thursday they held a meeting with the General Directorate of Fisheries but still "have no news about the possible renewal of the agreement."
According to the European Commission, the final decision will be made jointly with the "Moroccan partners" and "in the shared interest of both parties".
Spain prepares aid for fishermen if the agreement is not renewed
This Thursday a meeting of the joint commission of the agreement between the EU and Morocco was held in Brussels, which expires next Monday, and there was a meeting with the Minister of Fisheries of Morocco, Mohamed Sadiki, the spokesperson noted, without specifying with whom or where the meeting took place.
"The meeting with the Moroccan Minister of Fisheries was an opportunity to recall the importance of our relationship in fishing matters," the spokesperson limited herself to saying. Regarding the meeting of the joint commission, she said that, as foreseen in the agreement, the parties discussed in particular the activities of the EU fleet and the application of sectoral aid.
The suspension of the fishing agreement will mean the end of activity in the Moroccan fishing ground for an indefinite period of time.
The Spanish Government plans to provide aid to support the boats and help shipowners and fishermen not to be affected by the cessation. Spain has 93 fishing licenses to fish in Morocco, but only 19 are currently active.
The expected ruling of the EU Court of Justice could confirm or halt a previous ruling of the EU General Court of 2021 that annulled the fishing agreement for also including the waters of Western Sahara.