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Rabat – Spanish Minister of Agriculture Luis Planas has again expressed satisfaction with the EU-Morocco fisheries agreement.
Planas said that the agreement is of greatt importance to his country as it allows the Spanish fleet to use Moroccan waters. He said that Spain will receive nearly 92 licenses, more than half of the possible 138 licenses.
Planas added that the first joint commission of the new Morocco-EU fisheries protocol completed its work Thursday, July 18, in Rabat. The commission discussed the practicalities and technical aspects needed for the issuance of the first licenses, Planas said, according to Maghreb Arab Press (MAP).
Planas explained that ship owners in Spain have already prepared their application files to obtain fishing licenses and made the necessary payments to start fishing activities next week.
“With the commitment of the Moroccan side to ensure fast processing of applications, we hope that the first licenses can be issued and that fishing operations will begin next week,” Planas said.
On June 24, Morocco’s House of Representative adopted Law 14.19, approving the fisheries deal.
Morocco and the EU signed an agreement to renew the fisheries deal on January 14.
The deal covers the fishing area from parallel 35 and Cap Spartel in northern Morocco to parallel 22 and Cap Blanc in southern Morocco, including the waters off Moroccan southern provinces in Western Sahara.
Spain considers the agreement of ultimate importance as it will provide greater flexibility in respect of “the obligation to land in Moroccan ports, as well as the maintenance of the amount of fees relating to the access to fishing areas used by Spanish vessels,” Planas said.
The Spanish official added that the new fisheries agreement “should promote the sustainability of the fleet in its economic and environmental aspects.”
He concluded that it will also help creating job opportunities and “wealth in areas highly dependent on fishing, as well as ensuring strict control of the catches made, while preserving fishery resources in the region.”
