Moroccan fish professionals denounce extension of fisheries accord with Russia

Moroccan Fish Professionals denounced on Friday the extension of the fisheries accord with Russia, saying that renewal of the accord harms Morocco's sea resources.

In a communique made public after a meeting of their union, the Moroccan fish professionals regretted that the fisheries authorities made the decision without prior consultation with them and stated that the extension of the accord is contrary to the overt policy adopted by the Moroccan Fisheries Department.

Morocco and Russia agreed recently to extend by one year the three-year fishing accord they sealed in 1995.

Morocco is also linked with a fishing accord with the European Union. The accord will expire in December 1999 and will not be renewed.

Morocco, seeking to protect its depleting sea resources, proposed instead to its EU partners (mainly Spain and Portugal) a new form of cooperation and partnership in the fishing sector.

The Moroccans offer Europeans the launching of joint ventures in sea products and the consolidation of cooperation in seafood processing, fish farming, ship maintenance, scientific research, vocational training and port modernization.

Morocco banned this week ocean fishing in its southern coasts for an undetermined period.

Last year, Morocco decided to ban sardine fishing in its southern shores for a renewable 1-year period to protect sardine stocks.