Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco.

This Agreement sets up a framework for legal, environmental, economic and social governance for fishing activities carried out by European Union vessels in the fishing zone (specified waters of the Eastern Central Atlantic Ocean, including the adjacent waters of Western Sahara). The Parties undertake to promote sustainable fishing in the fishing zone based on the principle of non-discrimination between the different fleets present in that zone. In particular the Agreement lays down: (a) the conditions under which European Union vessels may engage in fishing activities in the fishing zone; (b) economic and financial cooperation in the fisheries sector with a view to establishing a partnership in support of the fisheries sector and strengthening ocean governance; (c) administrative cooperation in order to implement the financial contribution; (d) scientific and technical cooperation with a view to ensuring the sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources in the fishing zone and developing the fisheries sector; (e) cooperation on measures for MCS of activities in the fishing zone, so as to ensure that the rules in force are complied with and guarantee that measures aimed at conserving fisheries resources and managing fishing activities are effective, in particular with a view to combating IUU fishing.
The Protocol on the implementation of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco is attached to the Agrement. This Protocol lays down the conditions for access by Union vessels to the fishing zone defined, and the implementing provisions of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership. Specific provisions are set out with respect to fishing opportunities, financial compensation for access to the fishing zone and fees to be paid by shipowners, issuing of fishing licence applications, satellite monitoring, catch reporting.