Morocco, Spain agree to foster fisheries cooperation

Morocco and Spain agreed on Tuesday to foster cooperation in fisheries and related-sectors.

Under two memoranda of understanding signed in Rabat by Moroccan Fisheries Minister Thami Khyari and Spanish Ambassador to Morocco Jorge Dezcallar, the two Mediterranean convened to cooperate for the protection of sea environment and consolidate scientific research and training in sea industry, part of a program, worth $ 600,000.

Khyari said Morocco will also use Spanish experience in the fisheries field.

In a related development, Khyari told the Moroccan house of representatives (lower house) that the European fleet, made up mainly of Spanish and Portuguese trawlers, operating in Moroccan waters under the Accord, will leave the territory on December 1 as the Morocco-European Union fisheries agreement expires on November 30.

The European fleet will leave "once and for all" the Moroccan waters on December 1, he said. "The government of Morocco wishes to open a new page in relations with the EU outside the direct fish exploitation."

After he ruled out the renewal of the present accord, the minister said Morocco wants to examine other forms of cooperation in this field.

For the EU, the fisheries sector brings sales of $ 1 billion and provides jobs for 20,000 persons, while it is a key and vital sector for Morocco, employing 1 million persons, the Minister said.

He added that a European delegation will visit Morocco next December 20 not to negotiate a new accord, but rather to have explanations on Morocco's wish to seek new forms of cooperation with the Union.