Morocco-Russia: Signing of a New Maritime Fisheries Cooperation Agreement in Moscow

Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Residing Abroad, Nasser Bourita, and the head of the Russian Federal Fisheries Agency, Ilya Shestakov, proceeded, on Friday in Moscow, with the signing of a new maritime fisheries cooperation agreement, which replaces the previous agreement that had expired.

This signing took place on the sidelines of the 8th Morocco-Russia Joint Intergovernmental Commission, co-chaired by Mr. Bourita and the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Patrushev.

This new instrument, concluded for a four-year duration, replaces the previous agreement that expired on December 31, 2024. It establishes the legal framework and practical modalities allowing Russian vessels to operate in the Atlantic waters of the Kingdom, in accordance with current Moroccan regulations.

The agreement sets an annual catch quota that vessels may not exceed, strictly regulates the authorized fishing zones along the entire Atlantic coast of Morocco, and governs the biological rest periods established in the relevant areas for the preservation of fish stocks.

In line with the Kingdom’s environmental commitments, the text emphasizes the protection of the marine ecosystem, the prevention of overfishing, and the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

It also strengthens scientific and technical cooperation between the National Institute of Fisheries Research (INRH) and its Russian counterpart through joint research and monitoring programs for the marine ecosystem and the dynamics of fishery resources.

On the economic front, the agreement is expected to contribute to the dynamism of the Moroccan fisheries sector, generating direct benefits for the economy both nationally and in the concerned regions.

It particularly promotes employment for Moroccan sailors aboard Russian vessels, as well as the development of related activities, especially in the ports of the southern part of the Kingdom, thereby consolidating their role as regional economic hubs.

Furthermore, the agreement provides for cooperation in maritime training, with the granting of scholarships and internships for Moroccan students and executives in specialized Russian institutions, contributing to the strengthening of national expertise in the fisheries field.

This new maritime fisheries cooperation agreement illustrates the shared will of Morocco and Russia to pursue a mutually beneficial, responsible cooperation that is mindful of the preservation of marine resources and the environment, in service of sustainable development and the strengthening of the historical relations between the two countries in the fisheries sector.