Brussels, 23/04/2008 (Agence Europe) - In Strasbourg on Tuesday 22 April, European Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg reported to MEPs on the new fisheries partnership agreement between the EU and Morocco. From the figures at his disposal, he said that some 80% of the total fishing possibilities available to vessels from EU member states had been used in the first year of implementation of the protocol, a situation which he felt was positive. The agreement covers the period from 28 February 2007 to 27 February 2011.
Had the Commission carried out any assessment of the results of the fishing voyages made by EU vessels under the last fisheries agreement with Morocco, asked Manuel Medina Ortega (PES, Spain). In response, Borg said that, more precisely, during the first year of implementation of the protocol, more than 90% of fishing rights in small-scale categories and tuna had been fished, and around 80% for industrial pelagics; only 23% of demersal fishing possibilities had been used by EU vessels, (trawlers and longliners). This he said was attributable to certain problems.
These problems were the issue of compulsory landings included at the insistence of Morocco and difficulties with recruiting Moroccan seamen on board EU vessels.
Around two weeks ago, Borg raised these, what he called, “teething” problems with the Moroccan government. There was, he said, general understanding that there was a need to revisit the matter of compulsory landings. Initially, products landed by EU vessels were to be exported, after processing in Morocco. In fact, all the fish landed in Moroccan ports is used for local consumption.
“I hope that, in the very short term, we will find a solution to it,” Borg said. With regard to recruitment of Moroccan staff, it has been decided to extend the list of local seamen from which EU vessel owners can choose. (L.C.)