WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2773/97 by Angela SIERRA GONZÁLEZ to the Commission. Seizures of Spanish fishing vessels and contravention of the fisheries agreement between Morocco and Spain
Date: 1997-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, SIERRA GONZALEZ
Subjects: Commission Delegation, European Commission, Morocco, Spain, exchange of information, fishing agreement, fishing regulations, fishing rights













EUR-Lex - 91997E2773 - EN






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91997E2773

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2773/97 by Angela SIERRA GONZÁLEZ to the Commission. Seizures of Spanish fishing vessels and contravention of the fisheries agreement between Morocco and Spain  


Official Journal C 117 , 16/04/1998 P. 0064 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2773/97 by Angela Sierra González (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (1 September 1997)Subject: Seizures of Spanish fishing vessels and contravention of the fisheries agreement between Morocco and SpainSince 1995 Spanish fishing vessels in Moroccan fishing grounds have been seized on 17 occassions by the Moroccan authorities.It would appear, as the Spanish consul in Agadir (Morocco) has publicly stated, that the Moroccan authorities never notify the Commission of the seizure of the vessels within the 48-hour deadline laid down in the fisheries agreement concluded between the European Union and Morocco.Moreover, the sanction proceedings subsequently instigated against the Spanish shipowners apparently fail to provide the guarantees required in any contentious procedure, in that no reliable proof is provided of the infringement committed, there is no notification of the vessels' cargos, etc.Is the Commission aware of these facts?Is the Commission notified by the Moroccan Government of the seizure of Spanish vessels working in Moroccan fishing grounds, in accordance with the fisheries agreement between Morocco and the EU? Has it received any such notifications and, if so, how often?What steps does the Commission intend to take if it proves to be true that the agreement is being contravened?Does the Commission know whether the sanction proceedings instigated in respect of the vessels seized fulfil the minimum requirements for ensuring transparency and veracity?Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (3 October 1997)Since the new fisheries Agreement between the Community and Morocco came into force, the Moroccan authorities have normally informed the Commission Delegation in Rabat of the boarding of vessels within 48 hours, as provided for in Chapter VIII of Annex II to the Agreement.When a fishing vessel is boarded, Chapter VIII(3) of the Annex gives the owner the choice of paying a fine determined within a bracket laid down by Moroccan legislation or contesting the alleged infringement before a judicial body.The Commission has always been informed, through the Delegation in Rabat, when the Moroccan authorities have boarded Community vessels.The Commission has spared no effort in requiring the Moroccan authorities to comply with all the provisions of the Agreement concerning the boarding of Community vessels authorised to fish in Morocco's fishing zone so that Community owners can exercise their rights.However, because of the boardings which have taken place recently, the Commission has requested a meeting of the Joint Committee under the Fisheries Agreement to look at ways of improving the procedures as regards boarding in order to ensure the greatest possible transparency and maximum information.