Spanish outlet Elfaro De Melilla reported that Spain has changed its stance on Morocco’s fish farm off the Mediterranean, referring to the Chafarinas.
According to a parliamentary response to the People’s Party delegate to Melilla, Fernando Gutierrez Diaz de Otazu, aquaculture farms are part of the autonomous regions’ responsibility.
Spain’s response confirms that it is unable to discuss the removal of Moroccan fish farms, which are located 700 meters away from the Chafarinas Islands.
Aquaculture facilities, according to the executive, ought to be managed by autonomous communities, since they are best qualified to do so.
“Neither the Chafarinas Islands nor Alhucemas or Vélez de la Gomera is attached to an autonomous community,” he said, explaining the connection “due to the fact that there is a legal vacuum around these Spanish military facilities.”
Melilla’s competence to negotiate with Morocco was questioned by the Spanish official, who noted that the fish farms “are not under the supervision of the Delegation of the Government of Melilla.”
With this parliamentary response, the Spanish government reverses its previous position toward Moroccan fishing operations on the Chafarinas Islet. In November, the Spanish Foreign Ministry sent a note calling for a cessation of Moroccan fishing on the one-mile-wide isle.
On that note, the two countries are negotiating to repair their ongoing diplomatic spat, which has lasted for months. The Spanish military reportedly went so far as to reinforce its presence in the islets, claiming they wanted to improve the quality of life for Spanish troops based in Chafarinas.
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