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.
No protocol in force
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.
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.