The four-year protocol to the FPA came into force on the 15th July 2014, after which the EU received and submitted to Morocco 63 licence applications from five EU Member States: Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Latvia, and Lithuania.

Beyond the issuing of licences, the Joint Committee discussed technical issues and sectoral support. In particular, it sought to agree on the programming of the sectoral support and to define the indicators for monitoring its implementation. These indicators will assess the socio-economic impacts of the sectoral support, including on a geographical basis.

Background

The current Protocol to the EU-Morocco FPA was signed on 18 November 2013 and endorsed by the Council and the European Parliament. It entered into force on 15 July 2014 following the completion of the internal ratification procedures by Morocco.

The total cost of the new Protocol to the EU will be 30m EUR a year, of which 16m EUR compensates Morocco for access to the resource and 14m EUR is directed towards supporting the fisheries sector in the country. In addition, the ship owners' own contribution is estimated at 10m EUR giving a total financial envelope for Morocco of an estimated 40m EUR, whilst the new Protocol also provides for increased job opportunities for Moroccan seamen.

Detailed and regular reporting obligations for Morocco will serve to demonstrate the economic and social impact of the sectoral support on the local populations. This reporting mechanism will include details on how each sectoral support project serves the best interests of all of the local population on a geographical basis.

More information

EU fisheries partnership agreements