Mohamed Sadiki, serving as Morocco’s Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, spoke on Wednesday about the evolving state of the country’s fisheries negotiations with the European Union. He stated that Morocco is prepared for any eventuality as the current EU framework nears its official expiration, with the agreement set to lapse on July 17. His comments came as part of a press briefing in Rabat, conducted in collaboration with Morocco’s state news agency MAP, and he emphasized that the government is closely watching the developments and will adjust its strategy as negotiations proceed under a new set of rules if needed.
The minister’s remarks were in direct response to the latest comments from Spain’s agriculture minister, Luis Planas, and underscored a cautious outlook regarding the renewal of the bloc’s fisheries accord with Rabat. Sadiki noted that the package remains contingent on EU court actions related to the current suspension, which centers on questions surrounding access to waters off Western Sahara. The suspension itself is a focal point in ongoing legal deliberations, and its status will heavily influence the timing and shape of any potential renewal by July.
According to Sadiki, Morocco currently has no clear indicators that point to a definite extension, yet the government plans to steer talks toward a new framework rather than simply renewing the old terms. He stressed that the global fishing industry is witnessing shifting dynamics, with growing export opportunities and added value for domestic partners. He hinted that negotiations would pivot toward identifying fresh talents and adopting a revised approach that better reflects Morocco’s strategic interests and the realities of modern maritime trade, should talks move in that direction.
In recalling the history of the EU-Morocco fishing agreement and its implementing protocol, the minister reminded observers that the arrangement began to take effect in July 2019 and originally granted 138 licenses. Spain emerged as the primary beneficiary, with a substantial share allocated to regions such as Andalusia, the Canary Islands, and Galicia. This commercial footprint highlights how deeply intertwined regional economies are with the treaty, and why shifts in policy carry broad implications for national and local stakeholders alike.
The legal landscape surrounding the agreement has been shaped by recent court decisions. In 2021, the European Court of Justice ruled in favor of the Polisario Front, which advocates for the Sahrawi people and their pursuit of independence in Western Sahara. The ruling argued that the arrangement concerning waters off the former Spanish colony had been concluded without the consent of the Sahrawi people, a point that has kept policymakers in Rabat and Brussels engaged in nuanced legal and diplomatic discussions. The Moroccan government has subsequently faced scrutiny over sovereignty and resource rights in the region, which continues to inform the negotiation posture toward any future pact.
As part of the complex regulatory process, the Council of Europe filed an appeal concerning the judicial decision on December 16, 2021, signaling ongoing formal debates that will shape the EU’s approach to fisheries with Morocco. The evolving court rulings, coupled with broader regional security and economic considerations, frame a negotiation landscape in which both sides seek stability, compliance, and sustainable harvest practices. Observers in Ottawa, Washington, and other capital cities are watching closely, given the potential ripple effects on fisheries communities, supply chains, and bilateral trade relations that extend well beyond the Mediterranean and Atlantic fronts that define this agreement (MAP).