Fishery minister hails flexibility of European side in rabat talks

Flexibility shown by the European side in Friday talks in Rabat with the European Union (EU) delegation on fishery cooperation was hailed by sea-fishery minister Said Chbaatou.

After the round, the minister told the media how Morocco welcomed flexibility shown by the other side on the reduction of shrimp and cephalopod fishing boats. Still, the flotilla Brussels wants to maintain in operation in Moroccan waters exceeds available capacity, he went on insisting re-conversion of EU flotilla could be achieved in two years.

Morocco, he said, pledged more flexibility on fishing requirements, zoning and landing of catches taking into account evolution of each fishery, port facilities, and the situation of Moroccan fishermen.

The two delegations parted Friday after no settlement was reached for the fishery issue announcing no date nor venue for the next round of discussions.