Source: Europa Press
Andalusian fishermen affected by not being able to fish in Moroccan waters after the rejection of the European Parliament to the fisheries agreement between the European Union (EU) and Morocco have Thursday begun to receive financial aid determined by a ministerial ruling for this purpose.
Speaking to Europa Press, the president of the Andalusian boatowners, Pedro Maza, said the crew had started obtaining the aid as of yesterday. According Ambrosio Ruiz, from the Barbate Fishermen Association (Cadiz), payments took place around 14.00 hours and would continue also during today’s day, reaching all those affected before the weekend.
In addition, Ruiz stated that the aid amounts were a “relief†for the fishermen. However, he insisted that what they need is to return fishing in Morocco, as well as an increase in the tuna fishing quota. “The only source of wealth of the area is fishing in Morocco and tuna, and that’s what we want,†he affirmed.
The deadline for payment of the financial aid resulting from the fleet having to stop fishing because of the end of the fishery agreement between the EU and Morocco began on Tuesday, April 10 and runs until the 20th, as set by the ministerial ruling that established the financial aid regulation.
In the province of Cadiz, there have been a total of 349 applications submitted by crew members, of which 345 were approved, 3 denied and 1 withdrawal. Affected fishermen will receive an average of Euro 1,350 per month for an initial period of six months.