The Joint Committee of EU-Moroccan Fisheries Professionals expressed its regret, on 29 September, after the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) decided to annul the fisheries agreement between the EU and Morocco (see EUROPE 12801/23).
“The fisheries agreement between the Kingdom of Morocco and the EU has proven to be extremely positive for both parties, including the population of the Sahara, as well as fundamental for the sustainable management of fisheries resources. We can only hope that both parties can resolve the situation and that the good cooperation in fisheries can continue between Morocco and the EU”, they said in a statement.
The current agreement allows 128 European vessels access to Moroccan waters.
The representative of European fishermen, Europêche, said he was “analysing the ruling” for the time being. Its director, Daniel Voces, said that he was in contact with the European institutions which should, according to him, give a reaction.
The European Commission also stated that “the relevant services of the European Union will carefully examine the reasons for these judgements in order to analyse all their implications and decide on the basis of this what action to take”.
In its judgment, the Court of Justice indicated that the annulment of the agreement would only take effect in two months, to allow time for the parties involved to appeal. (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)