Morocco banned EU Fishing Vessels Operating in its Waters

Morocco ordered foreign fishing boats operating in its waters to leave immediately following the decision of European Parliament, which refused to extend the deal under which the EU paid Morocco for access to its fish stocks. The Parliament termed the deal illegal as it did not benefit the people living in the disputed Western Sahara, off which most of the fishing was done.

The European Union had been paying 36m euros a year to Morocco for fishing rights in its waters. The deal between Morocco and EU expired in February 2011.

On 14 December 2011,  European parliament voted 326 to 296 to block the renewal, on the basis that there was not enough evidence to show the deal would benefit the Sahrawi population, who live in Western Sahara. Morocco annexed Western Sahara in the year 1976. However, its claims of sovereignty have not been internationally recognised.