The PP asked the Government for explanations for the fishing activity of ten Moroccan vessels in Spanish waters near Motril (Granada) using the illegal driftnet technique. His deputy for Granada Carlos Rojas made a written question to the Government ten days ago in reference to this activity.

“The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries learned when the sector reported the presence of Moroccan ships a week ago, at certain coordinates,” they now say from the department headed by Luis Planas to EL ESPAÑOL.

Since then, in collaboration with the Civil Guard, a surveillance device has been maintained in the area, “to act immediately in the event that an unauthorized ship is sighted, something that has not happened again at the moment”. the same official sources say.

“All of this is being carried out in continuous collaboration with the sector, so that, if they detect Moroccan vessels in Spanish waters or the presence of driftnets, they report their coordinates so that the Civil Guard patrol boat can go to the intended objective” , maintain from the Ministry.

[The Prime Minister of Morocco to Sánchez: “There is a new stage due to the change of Spain in the Sahara”]

In the event that these incursions are confirmed, “it is planned to act directly, using the available maritime means, the result of the existing collaboration agreements between the Ministry of Fisheries and the Ministries of the Interior and Defense”, these sources assure.

Likewise, “direct communication has already been established with the Moroccan authorities so that they take measures to prevent their fishermen from using this type of prohibited gear, as well as to prevent the intrusion of their vessels into Spanish waters,” the Ministry assures.

Localized infringements will be reported to the European Commission and the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), a regional fisheries organization that operates in that area, so that they can in turn take the appropriate measures.

Morocco responds

The minister spokesperson for the Moroccan Executive, Mustapha Baitas, acknowledged to questions from journalists after the Government Council on April 27 the possibility of “related problems” with Moroccan shipowners in Mediterranean waters between Spain and Morocco.

Far from bothering the expulsion of illegal Moroccan ships from the Spanish coasts, in the neighboring country there is a predisposition to collaborate. Morocco is willing to take the necessary measures against any fishing vessel that fishes illegally in Spanish waters and that resorts to illegal fishing methods.

After the High Level Meeting (RAN) in Rabat, on February 2, Minister Luis Planas traveled to Agadir to discuss, together with his Moroccan counterpart, Mohamed Sadiki, ways to strengthen cooperation and joint mechanisms in the field of fishing. The meeting brought together several Spanish and Moroccan experts to explore opportunities and areas of scientific and technological cooperation in the fishing sector.

The first voice of alarm against illegal practices by Moroccan boats came from the Spanish fishing boats that operate in the waters near Carboneras (Almería).. The Organization of Fishermen Fishermen Producers of Carboneras (Carbopesca) communicated its discomfort over the situation to the General Directorate of Fisheries.

The actions of the Civil Guard involve “the displacement of patrol boats to the sighting areas and the corresponding expulsion of Moroccan ships from Spanish waters and, where appropriate, the requisition of fishing gear”, detailed from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fishing.