Russia pursues renewal of fisheries agreement with Morocco

Tuesday 18 March 2025 - 15:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Russia pursues renewal of fisheries agreement with Morocco

Russia is currently in discussions to renew its maritime fishing agreement with Morocco, which lapsed last December after four years of cooperation. Moscow aims to reinstate its fishing fleet's operations off the Moroccan coast, focusing on species such as sardines, sardinella, mackerel, and anchovies.

Ilya Shestakov, head of Russia’s Federal Fisheries Agency, stated, “We submitted a draft order to the government on the signing of a new agreement with the Moroccan side for four years and with the option of extension for another four years.” He confirmed that all matters concerning the agreement have been discussed, and upon finalization, it will enable Russia to catch 80,000 tons of fish within Morocco’s exclusive economic zone annually.

On the Moroccan side, maritime fishing officials have indicated that negotiations are ongoing, though no decisions have been reached yet. The previous agreement, initiated in 2020, permitted Russia to deploy 10 specialized fishing vessels along Morocco’s coast, with the Russian fleet departing Moroccan waters at the end of 2024 following the expiration of the deal.

While the possibility of a new agreement remains, sources close to the discussions emphasize that talks are not yet complete. Industry experts are closely observing these negotiations, particularly in light of the recent termination of the fishing agreement between Morocco and the European Union.

One official remarked on the strategic and diplomatic importance of these negotiations for Morocco, suggesting that a comprehensive analysis is necessary to evaluate the potential impacts, especially considering the declining national fish stocks, particularly sardines, which are a primary target for Russian fisheries.

In July 2024, the National Fisheries Office reported a 4% decrease in the value and a 10% decrease in the volume of marketed products from coastal and artisanal fishing compared to the previous year. The report highlighted a concerning decline in several crucial marine species, including an 82% drop in shellfish, 39% in seaweed, 25% in crustaceans, and 12% in pelagic fish.

Additionally, it was noted that Morocco must address the challenges faced by local fish exporters in the Russian market, particularly regarding unresolved payment issues.

Morocco and Russia had previously extended their fishing cooperation agreement until the end of 2024, which encompassed waters off the coast of southern regions. If implemented, the new agreement would mark the ninth such accord since maritime cooperation commenced between the two nations in 1992.

Furthermore, Russia is exploring fishing opportunities in the African market through the Great African Expedition, launched in August. This initiative aims to assess the resources available in Africa’s exclusive maritime economic zone. Shestakov remarked that the expedition would yield valuable scientific data on Africa’s biological resources and open new avenues for the development of Russia’s fishing industry, enhancing its geopolitical stance in Africa.