Spanish fishermen associations press for return to Morocco of tradition fishing fleet

A group of associations representing the fishermen of the Spanish northwestern region of Galicia has called the government to start the soonest negotiations with Morocco to allow Spanish traditional fleet to resume activities in Morocco.

The Spanish fishermen associations called in a statement released Thursday for a demonstration to press with their claims to reach an agreement with Morocco for the return of traditional fishing boats to Morocco.

Seamen from Andalusia (South) and the Canary Islands will also take part in the demonstration backed by trade unions.

The Spanish fishing fleet which used to operate in Morocco was forced to berth in November 1999 when Morocco refused to sign with the European Union another fisheries accord that used to allow hundreds of European trawlers, mostly Spanish and Portuguese, to operate in Moroccan waters.