On October 9, 2024, Morocco and Russia commenced negotiations for a new fisheries agreement, expected to last four years starting in 2025. This agreement aims to encompass the entirety of Morocco's Atlantic coast, including waters off the disputed Western Sahara region.
The discussions were initiated prior to a ruling by the European Court of Justice which annulled previous agricultural and fisheries agreements between Morocco and the EU, citing their inclusion of Western Sahara. Sources indicate that Morocco and Russia have already reached a preliminary consensus on renewing the existing agreement, initially signed in 2020, which is set to expire at the end of 2024.
The current agreement stipulates a Russian fishing quota of 140,000 tons annually in Moroccan waters, unchanged from the previous deal that expired in 2019. In exchange, Russia pays Morocco $7 million annually, along with a share of 17.5% of the total value of the fish caught. Additionally, the agreement mandates the employment of at least 16 Moroccan workers on each Russian vessel.
This negotiation is significant as it reflects Morocco's strategic partnerships amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly concerning its territorial claims over Western Sahara. The renewal of this fisheries agreement not only reinforces Morocco's economic ties with Russia but also highlights the complexities of international maritime agreements in contested regions.