PURPOSE: to conclude a Fisheries Agreement between the Community and Morocco.
LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Regulation 764/2006/EC on the conclusion of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Kingdom of Morocco.
CONTENT: This Council Regulation approves a Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Kingdom of Morocco. Based on a principle of sustainable development and modernisation, the Agreement sets out the terms and conditions for EU-Moroccan fishing co-operation and opportunities.
The Agreement centres on: financial and scientific co-operation; conditions governing access by Community vessels; various arrangements for policing fishing activities in Moroccan waters; and the establishment of economic partnerships between Community and Moroccan companies working in the fisheries sector.
The fishing opportunities agreed by both Parties are:
- Small scale fishing/north, pelagic species (seiners) – Spain: 20 licences or quotas;
- Small scale fishing/north (bottom long liners < 40 GT) – Spain: 20; Portugal: 7;
- Small scale fishing/north (bottom long liners > 40 GT < 150 GT – Portugal 3;
- Small scale fishing/south – Spain: 20
- Demersal fishing (bottom long liners) – Spain: 7; Portugal :4;
- Demersal fishing (trawlers) – Spain: 10; Italy: 1;
- Tuna fishing (pole and line vessels) – Spain: 23; France: 4;
- Industrial fishing for pelagic species – Germany: 4 850 t; Lithuania: 15 520 t; Latvia: 8 730 t; the Netherlands: 19 400 t; Ireland: 2 500 t; Poland 2 500 t; United Kingdom 2 500 t; Spain 400 t; Portugal 1 333 t; France 2 267t.
In reaching accord on this Agreement both parties have consented to undertake and to promote responsible fishing in the Moroccan fishing zone based on the principle of non-discrimination. During the period covered by the Agreement, both parties will undertake joint scientific action in order to monitor the state of fishing resources. In return, Morocco has agreed to authorise Community vessels, in possession of a fishing licence issued under this Agreement, to fish in Moroccan fishing zones. The national laws of Morocco will apply to any activities undertaken by vessels – such as transhipments, the use of port services and the purchase of supplies.
As far as the financial contribution is concerned, the Agreement states that the Community will grant Morocco a financial contribution based on: a) a financial contribution for access by Community vessels to Moroccan fishing zones; and b) support for introducing a national fisheries policy based on responsible fishing and sustainable exploitation. The exact amounts are listed in the Protocol and total EUR 144 400 000 for a four year period (further details concerning the breakdown of this budget are available in the accompanying financial statement).
The Moroccan authorities will be allocated an additional:
- EUR 3 million from the MEDA programme for a four year period,
- EUR 3 400 000 (approx.) per year from fees paid directly by ship-owners.
Provisions have been put in place both for the termination or suspension of the Agreement. For implementation and monitoring purposes, a Joint Committee has been set up between the two parties.
ENTRY INTO FORCE: The Regulation enters into force on 29 May 2006. The Agreement and its Protocol will enter into force on the date on which the parties notify each other that their adoption procedures have been completed. The period of application and fishing opportunities will apply for four years from 1 March 2006 even though the Protocol and its Annexes will enter into force on the date of the Agreement.