The European Commission said on Friday 21 October that progress had been made in implementation of the fisheries partnership agreement between the EU and Morocco (see EUROPE 11635).
At the 3rd Joint Committee under the 2014-2018 EU-Morocco Fisheries Partnership Agreement Protocol, the parties assessed the second year of implementation of the protocol. Both the fishing activity carried out by the EU fleet and the implementation of the EU support (around €40 million per year) to the Moroccan fisheries sector were reviewed. “The outcome was positive on both counts”, the Commission reported.
The use of the available fishing possibilities was satisfactory for both the EU and Morocco and as much as 74% of the sectorial support funds has been absorbed and directed towards the common objectives, according to the services of European Fisheries Commissioner Karmenu Vella.
They also agreed on and introduced a number of new measures that will make fishing operations more efficient and improve compliance with compulsory landings in Moroccan ports. Spanish fishermen have criticised the landing obligation which they argue will be difficult to apply.
The parties are confident that the protocol will continue to be successful for the rest of its duration, the Commission says. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)