Moroccan fish get a two months break to get some rest

The Spanish trawlers operating in Moroccan waters returned Thursday home in observance of the two-month biologic rest which starts in Morocco as of this January 1st.

The observance of this biologic rest is provided for in the four-year fisheries accord concluded between Morocco and the EU in 1996. The move allows fish species to reproduce and aims to protect Morocco's sea resources.

About 750 European trawlers (mostly from Spain) operate in Moroccan waters besides the nearly 440 Moroccan fleet.

Morocco told European Union it will not renew the fisheries accord when it expires in December 1999 and will seek new forms of partnership with the union in the fishing sector.

Morocco wants EU partners to increase their technical assistance and know-how in sea-food processing, fish-farming, ship maintenance, scientific research, vocational training and ports modernization.

Last may, Morocco decided to ban sardines fishing in its southern shores stretching from Dakhla down to Boujdour, for a renewable 1-year period, to protect the endangered sardines stocks.

The decision was unanimously backed by fisheries professionals as the Moroccan sardine stocks plummeted to alarming levels.

The Moroccan fishing sector, which employs about 400,000 people, plays an important in the country's economy.