Russian vessels will be able to fish in the waters near the Canary Islands thanks to an agreement with Morocco worth more than 7 million euros. Russia has suffered from the financial blockade of the United States and Europe since the invasion of Ukraine.
The agreement with Rabat allows the Russian fleet to fish near the Canary-Saharan fishing zone, reports La Provincia, specifying that 10 Russian vessels will be authorized to fish up to 140,000 tonnes per year of sardines, sardinella, mackerel, horse mackerel in these “maritime areas under Moroccan jurisdiction”, 15 miles from the Spanish coast.
This agreement between Morocco and Russia has existed since 1992 and is renewed every four years. The last renewal dates are from October 2020. The Kremlin pays Morocco more than seven million euros to obtain the rights of access to this area for the benefit of its fleet. To this amount is added 17.5% of the value of the products obtained from the fishing carried out by Russian vessels, the overall contribution of which would exceed 22 million euros per year.
The agreement also provides for the construction and repair of boats, the production of nets and fishing gear, the sale of fishing products, and the training of professionals in the sector. With this agreement, Russian ships can dock in Moroccan ports and carry out various repair operations, loading and unloading drinking water, fuel, and food.
