European fleet leaves Moroccan waters; Morocco ready to develop an economic engine

As the 477 European ships started to leave the Moroccan territorial waters upon the expiration on November 30 of the 1995 Morocco - European Union fisheries accord, local professionals heaved a deep sigh of relief.

The professionals believe that the non-renewal of the accord shields Moroccan sea resources against the looting of foreign fleets. They blame excessive fishing for depleting the sea resources and braking Moroccan fish industries' aspiration to development.

"The presence of highly-performing foreign fleets in Morocco braked the Moroccan professionals' efforts to develop the sector," the president of the Moroccan maritime chambers, Hibatou Maalaanine, told MAP news agency.

Official figures said the catches of the European fleet, made of mainly of Spanish boats (413), stood at 170,000 tons (all species) annually.

The departure of the European trawlers raises the question of whether the Moroccan sea operators will be able to develop the fisheries sector without foreign know-how. Maalaanine affirmed that, "The professionals are ready to shoulder their responsibilities." The Moroccan fisheries department says out of the 99 active companies, only 27 are totally owned by Moroccan operators.

Maalaanine said the Moroccan professionals will spare no effort "to make of the fisheries sector an engine of the Moroccan economy as a whole."

The Moroccan government said it intends to invest a budget of $700 million, 70% of which will be contributed by the private sector, part of the 1999-2003 development plan.

According to official circles, the expiry of the Morocco - EU accord will spur the fisheries sector's value added and growth.

The value added will jump to $1 billion in 2000 against $780 million in 1999. Between 1999 and 2003, the sector's growth will stand at 11% annually.

The departure of the European fleet does not mean that Morocco completely closes the door for cooperation with Europe in the fisheries sector.

Moroccan fisheries minister, Thami Khyari, said Morocco "is ready for cooperation with the European Union and with other countries."

He conceded that such a cooperation should be placed in a new frame to avoid the exploitation of the Moroccan sea resources.