The European Parliament has approved a new fishing treaty between the EU and Morocco which will allow 44 Andalucian boats, mostly from Barbate, to resume fishing in Moroccan waters after a two year absence.
However, although good news that an agreement has been reached, boats will not be able to set sail and resume fishing immediately as the agreement now has to be formally approved by the 28 EU member states and the Moroccan parliament.
Under the agreement, European vessels have obtained 12 licences, with 100 relating to Spain. This will benefit 1,500 crew members, mainly in Andalucia and the Canary Islands, and including 500 Moroccans.
The agreement sees a 33% increase in the fishing opportunities for the EU fleet – eleven Member States fish in the area – in exchange for the payment of €40 million per year for the next four years.