EC/Morocco fisheries agreement: conversion of vessels and fishermen, extending deadlines

The committee adopted the report by Rosa MIGUÉLEZ RAMOS (PES, E) approving the proposal under the consultation procedure, subject to three amendments. It pointed out that the fishing opportunities are often severely restricted as a result of failure to renew international fisheries agreements or owing to the implementation of stock recovery plans both outside and within Community waters. MEPs said that the socio-economic support measures adopted as part of the plan for the conversion of the Community fleet which used to fish in Moroccan waters should therefore be incorporated into Regulation (EC) 2792/1999, which governs structural support in the fisheries sector, so that they may be applied generally in such cases. The committee also adopted two amendments seeking to apply to the cases envisaged under Article 12(3)(a) and (c) of the proposed new regulation (part-financing of national early-retirement schemes for fishermen and compensatory payments to fishermen for retraining or diversification activities) the same flexibility proposed for deadlines for the premiums referred to in Article 12(3)(b) (fishermen who worked for 12 months on board a vessel which has stopped its activities).�