Spain hopes Morocco will renew fisheries agreement with EU

The Spanish government hopes that Morocco will renew the fisheries agreement with the European Union after it expires end of this year.

Spanish news agency EFE quoted secretary general in charge of fisheries, Samuel Juarez, as saying "if Morocco persists in its decision not to renew the agreement, the Spanish government will have to handle the situation and its consequences on the sector."

Talking before the agriculture and fisheries committee at the Spanish congress, he called for an agreement that provides for larger cooperation.

Morocco's fishing professionals are complaining that the country's sea resources are in constant depletion. According to chairman of the Moroccan sea fisheries Federation, Abderrahim Laabidi, Morocco slid from the world 1st fish-producing country to the 14th rank while several species have disappeared. This situation compelled 45 percent of the national fleet to freeze activities.

Morocco and the European Union signed in November 1995 a four-year fisheries agreement that allows about 650 European trawlers (mostly from Spain) to operate in Moroccan waters.In exchange, the EU pays Morocco 355 million ECU.

According to 1997 official figures, sea fisheries account for 15% of the overall value of exports and 55% of the value of food exports. It employs more than 200,000 persons. The annual value of fish products exports is estimated at more than $ 600 million.