The fishing fleet had to leave Moroccan waters in December last year. (Photo: Magrama/FIS)

New aid for fishermen affected by Moroccan fishery stoppage

SPAIN
Friday, August 24, 2012, 23:50 (GMT + 9)

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Magrama) decided to extend for six months the aid to fishermen affected by the temporary suspension of the fisheries agreement between the European Union (EU) and Morocco.

"Given the seriousness and exceptional nature of the current situation," Magrama resolved to extend the aid from a previous notification, which ended on 14 June.

According to the new notification, published on Friday in the Official State Gazette (BOE), the total amount calculated to address the funding of these grants is EUR 5.36 million.

This amount is co-funded by the EU with a charge to the European Fisheries Fund. This is an extension of previous grants for a period of six months, until 14 December 2012.

Such aid would be removed if the situation is reversed after signing a fisheries agreement that would allow the affected vessels to resume their activities in Moroccan waters, the agency Europa Press reported.

Each fisherman will receive about EUR 45 per day they stop fishing, but in no case may the aid granted to each beneficiary exceed 183 days for the second stoppage phase.

The resolution states that the grants will be awarded for minimum periods of a month and a maximum of six months of temporary cessation "performed continuously between 15 June and 14 December."

The fishing fleet had to leave the waters of Morocco on 15 December, 2011, when the European Parliament (EP) decided to cancel the fisheries agreement.

The Department published another ministry’s order in the BOE, in the same sense extending the temporary cessation aid to shipowners or to ship owners affected by the bilateral fishing agreement cessation.

Related article:

- EU-Morocco fishing agreement expected to be settled

By Analia Murias
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com

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