Brussels, 07/06/2011 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission, on 1st June, adopted proposals aiming to extend the protocol of the fisheries partnership agreement between the European Community and the Kingdom of Morocco by one year. This would allow time for a new agreement to be negotiated.
On the basis of a mandate from the Council, the European Commission has conducted negotiations with the Kingdom of Morocco, extending the current fisheries agreement from 28 February 2011 to 28 February 2012, the protocol in force having expired on 27 February 2011.
The financial contribution paid by the EU to Morocco is €36.1 million over the one-year period based on: - a maximum of 119 fishing permits for EU vessels in the small-scale, demersal and tuna fishing categories, and a maximum catch tonnage of 60,000 tonnes in the industrial pelagic fishing category; - development aid of €13.5 million for the Kingdom of Morocco's sectoral fishing policy. This support meets the objectives of the national fisheries policy.
The protocol provides for fishing opportunities in the following six categories: - small-scale pelagic fishing in the north: 20 seiners; - small-scale fishing in the north: 30 bottom longliners; - small-scale fishing in the south: 20 vessels; - demersal fishing: 22 vessels; - tuna fishing: 27 vessels; - industrial pelagic fishing: 60,000 tonnes of catches. The Commission proposes that the Council, with the Parliament's consent, adopt the new protocol. (L.C./transl.rt)