The Kingdom of Morocco and the Russia signed a new fisheries cooperation agreement after a former agreement, signed in 2016, expired in March this year.
The new agreement, spanning 4 years, is the 8th of its kind since 1992, and establishes the legal framework allowing a fleet of 10 Russian vessels to fish for small pelagic species in Moroccan waters beyond 15 nautical miles.
The agreement also highlights means of scientific and technical cooperation for the monitoring of the pelagic ecosystem in Moroccan waters between the National Fisheries Research Institute and its Russian counterpart.
Also, it allows Moroccan students to benefit from training scholarships in Russian establishments specializing in fisheries.
According to a statement by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests, the activity of Russian vessels in Moroccan waters offers work opportunities for Moroccan fishermen at the rate of 16 sailors per vessel.
It also added that vessels are subject to continuous monitoring by satellite, as well as the permanent boarding of a Moroccan scientific observer.
A joint committee, which will meet before the start of fishing activities, will set the quota to be granted to Russian vessels for the first year of the agreement, in accordance with the provisions of the C stock small pelagic fisheries development plan, the ministry stated.
"It will also lay down all the technical provisions and financial arrangements for the implementation of the agreement."
