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Morocco and Russia renew fisheries cooperation with strategic maritime agreement
Morocco and Russia have strengthened their long-standing partnership through a new maritime fisheries cooperation agreement, replacing the previous deal that expired in 2024. The accord reinforces bilateral ties while supporting sustainable fishing practices in Moroccan waters.
The agreement was signed in Rabat by Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, and Ilya Shestakov, head of Russia’s Federal Fisheries Agency, during the 8th session of the Morocco-Russia Intergovernmental Joint Commission.
Under the new framework, Russian vessels will continue to operate in Morocco’s Atlantic waters in full compliance with Moroccan regulations. The deal establishes annual catch quotas to prevent overfishing and promote environmental sustainability, while prioritizing the protection of marine ecosystems and combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.
The partnership also emphasizes economic cooperation, including the employment of Moroccan seafarers aboard Russian vessels and the development of port activities in southern Morocco. Both countries have agreed to strengthen collaboration in maritime education and training, offering scholarships for Moroccan students and professionals at specialized Russian institutions.
The Russian government reiterated its recognition of Morocco as a key partner in marine resource development and highlighted the mutual benefits of the fisheries sector for both nations.
Morocco and Russia’s collaboration in fisheries dates back to 1992, with this latest accord marking their ninth agreement. The previous deal, signed in 2020, had authorized 10 Russian vessels to fish for small pelagic species beyond 15 nautical miles off the Moroccan coast.
The signing comes as European officials, particularly in Spain, express optimism about the potential renewal of the EU-Morocco fisheries agreement. Spain’s Agriculture Minister, Luis Planas, recently said he expects the EU and Morocco to finalize a new deal “in the near future.”
This renewed optimism follows years of tension linked to the European Union Court of Justice’s ruling opposing the renewal of EU-Morocco trade and fisheries accords. The decision stemmed from challenges by pro-Polisario advocacy groups over Morocco’s sovereignty in its southern provinces.
In response, Morocco has maintained its firm stance that no agreement with the EU will proceed without full recognition of its territorial integrity. On October 3, both parties signed an exchange of letters amending their trade framework to ensure that agricultural products from Morocco’s southern regions, including Sahara, continue to enjoy preferential access to European markets.
This new fisheries accord with Russia reflects Morocco’s pragmatic approach to diversifying partnerships while defending its sovereignty and promoting sustainable resource management.