Spanish southern fishermen block Moroccan exports
Morocco-Spain, Economics, 4/12/2001

Fishermen from the Spanish southern locality of Barbate have decided to block Moroccan exports at the Spanish port of Algesiras, to press on for resuming negotiations between Morocco and the European Union for the renewal of a fisheries agreement.

Chairman of the association, Antonio Varo, told Spanish private news agency "Europa Press" a meeting will be held next Monday to set a date for this retaliation measure and prepare for a general strike, scheduled for this April 24, in all the southern areas.

The association also called head of the Spanish government, Jose Maria Aznar, to take a more active role for the resumption of talks with Morocco and urged the central authorities to pressure Morocco to reach a fisheries agreement. Fishermen from the region which was affected by the forced berth of 35 trawlers and 700 seamen have been observing a sit in since April 1st in the town council of Barbate and have been blocking the national road to prevent lorries carrying Moroccan fish from reaching Barcelona on their way to Europe.

They argue that an agreement allowing European fishing trawlers back in Moroccan coasts is a price Morocco has to pay for its goods to cross the southern ports of Andalusia.

Meanwhile, an 11-member delegation of vessel trawlers will be travelling to Algeria to prospect new opportunities in case all efforts to return to Moroccan waters are vain.

In the northwestern region of Galicia, local fishermen will also press the EU to resume negotiations with Morocco, on the eve of a meeting of the European fisheries ministers and ask the Spanish authorities to open direct talks with Morocco.

Morocco refused to renew the previous agreement that allowed some 400 European trawlers, mostly Spanish and Portuguese ones, to operate in Moroccan waters. Since the agreement expired in November 1999, several rounds of technical and political negotiations have failed to reach an agreement.

Previous Stories:
  Spanish local government plays down fisheries agreement with Morocco, prepares alternative activities for professionals   (3/31/2001)
  Spain's local government calls for separate talks over fisheries with Morocco   (3/29/2001)
  Morocco, Spain explore new cooperation opportunities   (3/22/2001)

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