WRITTEN QUESTION E-2608/02 by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission. Arbitrary seizure of Community fishing vessels by Morocco.
Date: 2002-09-18
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Morocco, Spain, bilateral relations, common fisheries policy, fishing area, fishing industry, fishing vessel, law of the sea, maritime surveillance, seizure of goods

C 110 E/74

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.5.2003

(2003/C 110 E/075)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2608/02

by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

(18 September 2002)

Subject: Arbitrary seizure of Community fishing vessels by Morocco

All too frequently Moroccan patrol ships arbitrarily seize Community vessels fishing outside Morocco’s
200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone or on their way back from Mauritanian fishing grounds. Since 2001
six Spanish vessels with licences to fish off Mauritania (the Chomanuel, the Lameiro I, the Sudoeste, the
Nuevo María Lourdes, the Villa de Agüimes and now the Viduido) have been seized arbitrarily on their
return journey by Moroccan patrol boats. All this is against the International Convention on the Law of
the Sea, Article 87 of which establishes the principle of free access to the high seas, and Article 56 of
which sanctions the principle of freedom of navigation through exclusive economic zones.

On 1 September 2002 Moroccan patrol boats seized a Community cephalopod vessel, the Viduido, when
it was returning from the port of Las Palmas after fishing in Mauritanian fishing grounds under the terms
of the EC/Mauritania Fisheries Agreement. The Viduido is currently being held in the port of Dakla
(formerly Villa Cisneros, in Western Sahara). Morocco’s accusation of illegal fishing seems unfounded and
there is every indication that the vessel was the victim of reprisals.

Community vessels fishing in the region are often subjected to extortion by the patrols or the military
officials in the ports to which they are taken. The ship-owners are also obliged to pay a large fine to
prevent the vessel being stranded in the port for several months pending a trial. It is unacceptable that, in
addition to the licence fee for fishing in Mauritanian waters (more than the Community financial
compensation for fishing opportunities laid down in the Agreement) shipowners should have to pay more
fees to the Moroccans.

What steps has the Commission taken or does it intend to take to ensure that Morocco stops harassing
Community fleets fishing under the terms of the EC/Mauritania Fisheries Agreement?

What steps is the Commission taking to enable the Community fleet to fish in the high seas without being
harassed by Moroccan patrol boats? Has it considered requesting intervention by the International Tribunal
for the Law of the Sea to safeguard the activities of the Community vessels which have the relevant licence
to fish in Mauritanian waters, under the protection of an international agreement signed by the
Community? Has the Commission lodged any complaint with the Moroccan Government regarding these
abuses?

(2003/C 110 E/076)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2612/02

by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(18 September 2002)

Subject: Seizure of the Galician cephalopod fishing vessel Viduido by the Moroccan navy

What steps has the Commission taken to obtain and guarantee the release of the Galician cephalopod
fishing vessel Viduido, which was taken to Dakhla in Western Sahara, after being seized by the Moroccan
navy when returning from the Canaries after fishing in Mauritanian waters under the terms of the EU/
Mauritania Fisheries Agreement?