Brussels, 03/05/2000 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has formally authorised Portugal to pay national aid to compensate its vessel owners and crews who have had to stop fishing in Moroccan waters following the expiry of the Fisheries Agreement between the EU and Morocco on 30 November 1999. This temporary aid will be available until the end of June or until the vessels and the crews resume their activities. As long as they receive aid, the crews and vessels will not be authorised to carry out any paid activity. The crew members may receive allowances of EUR 670 per month. Amounting to EUR 2.2 million for vessel owners and 3.3 million for crews, national aid will be supplemented by the EU within the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG). EUROPE recalls that the Commission had already authorised similar aid (EUR 29.75 million for vessel owners and 31.19 million for fishermen) for Spain, which is more heavily hit by the non-renewal of the Fisheries Agreement.