The Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food has announced aid to support the fishing industry impacted by the termination of the fishing protocol between the European Union (EU) and Morocco.
The aid, co-financed by the European Commission and the Spanish Government, is designed to assist affected boats and crew members.
Under the guidance of Minister Luis Planas, the ministry has sped up the necessary procedures to ensure an immediate response to the affected fishing fleet.
By using the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), the ministry seeks to alleviate the socio-economic impact experienced by the fleet that operated in Moroccan waters.
To facilitate the distribution of aid, the ministry has published the relevant information in the Official State Gazette (BOE). The publication includes the details of two aid call orders—one for Spanish fishing vessel owners and another for crew members registered on those vessels.
The aid, which will be awarded through a competitive process, is intended to support temporary cessation of fishing activity, in accordance with both EU and national regulations.
In 2023, a total of €302,000 will be allocated, with 50% funded by the EMFF and the remaining 50% by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food. Out of this amount, €120,000 will be allocated to ship owners, while €182,000 will be designated for crew members.
Applicants will have 15 business days from the publication date of the BOE extract to submit their applications. As the fishing cessation affects vessels from multiple autonomous communities, including Andalusia and the Canary Islands, the General Secretariat of Fisheries will oversee the management of aid for ship owners.
Although Spain secured 92 licenses out of the 128 available for fishing in Moroccan waters, only 21 ships applied for licenses between 2021 and 2023. Consequently, the aid will be distributed among ship owners and crew members from the 11 boats that actively fished for at least 20 days during the 2021-2023 period in Moroccan waters.
Eligibility for aid is contingent upon meeting the European Commission’s requirement of not having received more than 180 days of temporary cessation aid within the EMFF period (2014-2023).
The fishing protocol, which was in effect for four years, came to an end on Monday, July 17.
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