Morocco, Russia start talks for new fisheries deal

Talks have started between Morocco and Russia for a new fisheries deal to replace the current agreement that expires this March.

The talks will raise the terms for fishing in Morocco’s territorial water and fisheries quota as well as the financial compensations.

The two countries signed their first fisheries deal in 1992 with a quota of 129.500 tons in return for $22 million in addition to $8 million dedicated to scientific research and port fees.

The current 4-year maritime fisheries cooperation agreement was signed in 2016 and allows a fleet of 10 Russian vessels to operate in Moroccan waters in the Southern Atlantic as far as Cape Blanc. The agreement provides employment to more than 300 Moroccan sailors. The new agreement is expected to create 350 jobs annually for Moroccan fishermen.