EU-Morocco Talks Progressing

May 3, 2012 (TheFishSite News Desk)

The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Miguel Arias Cañete, said that talks for a new fishing agreement with Morocco are progressing without many major difficulties. This should allow for the agreement to be reached in the first half of this year.

Mr Arias Cañete pointed out that the current framework of grants for Spanish fishermen only covers up to the 15 June.

The minister, who was speaking at the entrance of the European Fisheries Council, has indicated that Spain is in favour of the regionalisation of the Common Fisheries Policy.

The minister is also in favour of introducing transferable fishing concessions in the European Union, but with the exception of including a change in the definition proposed by the Commission for the artisanal and coastal fleets.

The minister also said that Spain is in favour of having a framework to support the renewal of the fleet.

Finally, Arias Cañete said, referring to the CFP reform: “We hope you have a balanced negotiation and, ultimately, we can have sustainable fisheries and maintain employment in our sector,” he concluded.