New legislation on fisheries under scrutiny

The fishery code and sea-eco-system protection draft legislation examined Wednesday in the weekly cabinet council is based on a new approach to the development of the fishing sector, said government spokesman Khalid Alioua.

The bill being probed, fishery minister Thami Khyari told the council, was inspired from a new approach to the promotion of the fishing sector via specific management programs for high-sea, coastal and traditional fisheries, upgrading of seamen living and working standards and improved social coverage.

The bill to be introduced before both houses of parliament in the fall update legislation and make use of new international texts and technological advance in the field.

Of cooperation relations with the European Union, the minister said the European commissioner for agriculture and fisheries Franz Fischler was told early this month in Rabat that if an agreement should be passed, it should fit in the guidelines of the Moroccan 2000-2004 development plan.