European fishing trawlers on forced mooring

Starting November 30, the European boats will stop all fishing activities in Moroccan waters as the agreement binding Morocco to the European Union expires.

The four-year agreement, signed in Nov. 1995, authorizes the European fleet, mostly Spanish boats, to fish in Moroccan fish-rich waters for 500 million euros.

The agreement was reviewed mid way and the number of boats was reduced from 552 to 517 units.

Serious threats were starting to appear as a result of over-exploitation and several scientific and independent studies, highlighted the pertinence of Morocco's decision not to renew the agreement and sounded the alarm regarding the depletion of stocks.

For Morocco, alternative forms of cooperation should be sought, other than direct exploitation.

To make up for the losses incurred by over 400 Spanish fishing boats, Madrid has announced a monthly grant of 151,500 pesetas for six months for 4,400 boat crews while professionals will get assistance of 2 to 4 million pesetas from the European community. Spain has captured annually a total of 170,000 tons of fish for a value of 30 billion pesetas.