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Oceans and fisheries

Morocco

Sustainable fisheries partnership agreement with Morocco

The current sustainable fisheries partnership agreement concluded between the EU and Morocco entered into force on 18 July 2019 and is tacitly renewed. Its first implementing protocol had a duration of four years covering the period 18 July 2019 – 17 July 2023. It expired on 17 July 2023.

Main features of the SFPA

Duration of the agreement

Unlimited

Duration of the protocol

No protocol in force

Nature of the SFPA

Mixed agreement

History

The first fisheries agreement concluded between the EU and Morocco dates back to 1995. At that time, it was by far the most important fisheries agreement between the EU and a third country. However, the parties did not reach an agreement to renew the protocol in 1999 and there was no agreement until the fisheries partnership agreement  in February 2007.

On 17 July 2019, a new sustainable fisheries partnership agreement came into force. An exchange of letters concerning certain provisions of the agreement form an integral part of it.

Scientific advice

During the period covered by the agreement, the parties shall cooperate to monitor the state of resources in the fishing zone. Therefore, a joint scientific meeting (JSM), composed of EU and Moroccan scientific experts, is set up to convene annually. The Joint Committee (JC) consult each other based on the conclusions of the JSM and the best available scientific advice.

Report of the 2022 meeting of the Joint Scientific Committee to the EU-Morocco Fisheries Partnership Agreement

Report of the 2021 meeting of the Joint Scientific Committee to the EU-Morocco Fisheries Partnership Agreement

Report of the 2020 meeting of the Joint Scientific Committee to the EU-Morocco Fisheries Partnership Agreement

Report of the 2018 meeting of the Joint Scientific Committee to the EU-Morocco Fisheries Partnership Agreement

Documents

Current legal framework

Conclusion of the sustainable fisheries partnership agreement, adopted by Council Decision (EU) 2019/441 of 4 March 2019.

Agreement between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco (OJ L 77, 20.3.2019).