Fishing industry representatives are scrambling to organise a meeting to address the situation and to continue to strengthen Euro-Moroccan fishing relations following the ruling by General Court this week.
The Joint Euro-Moroccan Commission of Fishing Professionals has expressed its concern and caution regarding the ruling of the General Court of the EU that annuls the decisions of the Council in relation to the sustainable fisheries partnership agreement with Morocco.
The parties have issued a reminder that the agreement remains in force for at least two months – the period provided for lodging an appeal – or until the date of delivery of the judgment of the Court ruling on any such appeal.
According to the EU industry, after that period of time, a worst-case scenario decision would be a severe blow to the EU fishing fleet since the current fishing agreement extends to fishing authorisations for a total of 128 EU vessels.
The Joint Commission has requested that all parties to remain calm, both to politicians and professionals, and asks them to maintain the climate of friendship and good relations that exists to date, as well as to seek solutions to the problems that may arise as a result of the ruling.
In this sense, the Joint Commission wishes to emphasise the intense co-operation between Morocco and the EU in the framework of the neighbourhood policy.
The Joint Commission has pledged its commitment to continue strengthening business relations and maintaining mutual support, as it has done since its creation.
‘The fisheries agreement between the EU and the Kingdom of Morocco has proven to be extremely positive for both parties, including the population of the Sahara, as well as fundamental to advance in the sustainable management of fishery resources. We can only hope that both parties can resolve the situation and that the good co-operation between Morocco and the EU in fisheries can continue in the future,’ the Joint Euro-Moroccan Commission of Fishing Professionals stated.
