Rabat – Aziz Akhannouch, Morocco’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forestry met with Spanish Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Nutrition, Luis Planas on June 12.
The two ministers discussed collaboration between the two countries in the fisheries sector.
The minister attended a meeting of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM-FAO) in Marrakech. The meeting focused on the “MEDFISH4EVER” initiative and the parties addressed bilateral cooperation on Spanish fishing activity in Moroccan waters
The ministers also discussed the new 4-year fishing agreement between Morocco and the European Union. The agreement allocates fishing opportunities for the EU in exchange for 208 million euro funding.
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Part of this contribution is to be used to promote the sustainable development of the fisheries economy in Morocco and Western Sahara. The agreement is expected to be approved by the Moroccan Parliament after being accepted by the Ministerial Council on June 4.
Akhannouch and Planas expressed their commitment to give a new dynamism to the bilateral partnership between Morocco and Spain, stressing the importance of simplifying the regulations and procedures for the export of fishing produce to ensure strict control and respect of international standards.
The ministers also examined prospects for cooperation in scientific research in the phytosanitary field.
The two ministers further discussed the anchoring of ’Antirmaris’ in the port of Nador, beginning next July.
The ship belongs to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in Spain and is supervised by the Spanish Ministry of Defense. ‘Antirmaris’ is used for marine fishing and technical training.
