The EU-Morocco Fisheries Partnership Agreement: What You Need to Know
In recent years, the EU-Morocco Fisheries Partnership Agreement has been a topic of discussion among fishery industry professionals, environmentalists, and political officials. This agreement, signed in 2018, has been controversial due to its impact on the sustainability of fisheries in Moroccan waters and the human rights of the local population.
What is the EU-Morocco Fisheries Partnership Agreement?
The EU-Morocco Fisheries Partnership Agreement is a deal between the European Union and Morocco that allows European fishing vessels to fish in Moroccan waters. In exchange, the EU pays Morocco an annual fee of €50 million. The agreement has been in place since 2007 and was renewed in 2013 and 2018.
Why is it controversial?
The agreement has been criticized for several reasons. First, it has been accused of violating international law by allowing European fishing vessels to operate in Moroccan waters, which are considered occupied territory by the United Nations. This is because Morocco annexed Western Sahara in 1975, which has been a disputed territory ever since.
Second, the agreement has been criticized for its impact on the sustainability of fisheries in Moroccan waters. European fishing vessels have been accused of overfishing and using environmentally destructive fishing methods, which can harm marine ecosystems and reduce fish populations.
Finally, the agreement has been criticized for its impact on the human rights of the local population. Many Sahrawi people, who are the indigenous people of Western Sahara, have accused the Moroccan government of using the revenue from the fishing agreement to finance its occupation of Western Sahara and to suppress the Sahrawi people`s human rights.
What are the potential solutions?
There are several potential solutions to the controversy surrounding the EU-Morocco Fisheries Partnership Agreement. One option is to renegotiate the terms of the agreement to address the concerns of environmentalists and human rights activists. This could include measures to promote sustainable fishing practices and to ensure that the revenue from the agreement is used to benefit the local population.
Another option is to end the agreement altogether and to seek alternative sources of fish. This could include promoting domestic fisheries or sourcing fish from other countries with more sustainable fishing practices.
Conclusion
The EU-Morocco Fisheries Partnership Agreement has been a controversial topic in recent years due to its impact on the sustainability of fisheries, the human rights of the local population, and international law. While there are no easy solutions, it is important for policymakers, industry professionals, and activists to work together to find a way forward that is both environmentally sustainable and socially responsible.