Spanish ships in Moroccan waters. (Photo: Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs)
The president of the Andalusian Federation of Fisheries Associations (Faape), Pedro Maza, said the sector is confident in the European Union (EU) and Morocco entering into the fisheries agreement next week.
Between 15 and 16 January the third contact round, since negotiations were resumed, will take place in Rabat, and Maza hopes the meeting “will end up with the signing”, EFE reports.
He also expects the agreement “will gather technical and economic conditions that may be acceptable for the industry and make the fishery profitable.”
The Andalusian leader recalled that more than a year has lapsed since the last fisheries agreement concluded, and the aid granted by the Spanish government to the fleet fishing in Moroccan waters ended last December.
The signing of the agreement would “relieve the pressure” on the fishing grounds of the Gulf of Cadiz, in whose waters the 41 Andalusian boats affected by the non-renewal of the bilateral agreement are fishing.
“The fact that they could return to Moroccan waters in profitable conditions would mean, on the one hand, to resume their normal activity and income, and on the other, to alleviate a fishery ground which is currently overloaded of boats,” he added.
Meanwhile, the head of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Magrama), Miguel Arias Cañete, stressed the “readiness” of Morocco for a new fisheries agreement.
The minister also expressed confidence on that negotiations with the European Commission (EC) will end this month.
“Hopefully in this January both the technical and economic aspects may be concluded,” Arias Cañete said to RNE.
In addition, the Spanish minister expects the European Parliament (EP) “will not stop it for political reasons.”
“The new agreement is highly necessary. The maximum limit for EU aids is one year and it has to be signed as soon as possible so that fishermen can start fishing,” Arias Cañete added.
“Fishermen do not want EU aids, but to fish and work,” he pointed out.
Related article:
– Spain requests EC to ‘quickly’ settle agreement with Morocco
By Analia Murias
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