Campaigners from 19 European countries came together late in February to stop the European Union ratifying an Agreement which would violate international law and see European boats fishing in the waters of Africa’s last colony.
The campaign, entitled Fish Elsewhere, calls on Members of the European Parliament and the EU’s member states to specifically prohibit EU vessels from fishing in the waters of the Western Sahara. The Agreement, signed with Morocco in July 2005 and due to be approved by the European Parliament and Council of Ministers in coming weeks, currently fails to specify the southern limit of Morocco, thereby allowing fishing licenses to be granted in the waters of Western Sahara, a territory which Morocco has occupied for 30 years. However, according to the campaigners, Morocco has no right to sign such an Agreement, not being recognised by the United Nations as the Administrative Power of this territory that it illegally occupies.
The Agreement could also see the EU funding development projects for illegal Moroccan settlers in the territory. The EU remains sharply divided on the issue, as Saharawi waters constitute an excellent fishing resource which many European countries would like to access.
