Parliament rejects extension of fisheries protocol

摘要

EU fishing vessels operating in Moroccan waters are going to have to head back to port sooner than expected. The European Parliament, with its rejection of the one-year extension of the fisheries protocol between the EU and Morocco, on 13 December, also sent a strong political signal since it asks the European Commission to renegotiate an agreement that "should take account of the interests of the Sahrawi population". With this vote, the protocol in force - which expires on 27 February 2012 but has applied provisionally since 28 February 2011 - ceases to apply immediately. Alain Cadec (EPP, France), deputy chair of the EP's Committee on Fisheries (PECH), said the move was "irresponsible". Predictably, the vote was applauded by Mohamed Sidati, representative of the Polisario Front to the EU.