Minister Miguel Arias Cañete intends MEPs join the Spanish strategy. (Photo: Magrama)

European consensus sought to renegotiate agreement with Mauritania

SPAIN
Tuesday, September 04, 2012, 23:50 (GMT + 9)

The head of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Magrama), Miguel Arias Cañete, insists that the fisheries agreement signed by the European Commission (EC) and Mauritania is not of interest to the EU fleet.

The Spanish minister expressed his dissatisfaction with the agreement of the Commissioner of Fisheries of the European Union (EU), Maria Damanaki, because in his opinion "it is insensible" to pay for fishing possibilities that are "non-existent."

The new bilateral pact brought about the withdrawal of the Spanish fleet from the Mauritanian fishing ground.

"Time has confirmed we were right because the fishing industry has not requested licenses from the cephalopod sector or from the shellfish sector, which are the most powerful forces in that agreement," argued Arias Cañete.

The minister will also inform the Spanish government's position to MEPs. Its purpose is that MEPs join the strategy that Spain will defend in the EU Council of Ministers "with other countries that are also affected by a negotiation that has not defended the Community interest," EFE agency reports.

The Spanish government is opposed to the fact that EU institutions ratify the current agreement and requests that it should be renegotiated so that fleets, such as the cephalopod one, is not left out.

Furthermore, it is expected that representatives of the European fleet travel to Brussels this week to try to convince EU institutions that they should oppose the agreement with Mauritania and require its review.

The cephalopod fleet owners grouped in the National Association of Cephalopod Producers (Anacef) consider the fisheries agreement as a "despicable act," according to its president, Francisco Freire.

The leader also questioned the government aid granted to the fleets that had to leave Mauritanian waters.

"This is the first time that these differences are considered. We understand there are budget constraints and we believe what was granted to the crew is right, but the owners should receive the aid provided by law intended to have the vessels ready when the activity is resumed," said Freire to La Opinión.

Related article:

- Increased aid for fleet fishing in Mauritania

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

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