SPAIN – The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Miguel Arias Cañete, has announced that the Spanish Government will adopt a framework of support for fishermen and vessel owners affected by the suspension of the extension of the fishing agreement with Morocco.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, the Minister explained that all crew members of vessels affected by the suspension will recieve 45 euros per day (1,350 euros per month) and owners will recieve a minimum of 100 euros per day, depending on the size of the ship.
Grants/aid may be requested in the first half of February will last for six months, during which time the Spanish government is confident that a new fisheries agreement with Morocco will be closed. Mr Cañete alsos stated that Morocco refund those who had licences for the first quarter of 2012. In total, 60 ships and 661 crew members will benefit from transitional aid. Of these, 41 ships and 381 crew members are Andalusians. The support frame will cost 9.2 million euros from the State Budget and will be funded by the European Union. Of this amount, 4.5 million will go to the Andalusian fishing fleet and the same to the Canary Islands and others affected to make the amount. The minister went on the 10 January to Brussels to meet with the Commissioner of Fisheries, which raised the need to expedite a new agreement with Morocco and develop a framework for transitional assistance. Since then, the Commission approved a proposed negotiating mandate. The Governments of Spain and France have proposed modifications to facilitate the agreement and the Danish Presidency has to accept the changes. The mandate must be approved by the Council.
