Spain Protests Moroccan Fish Farm in Disputed Waters, Citing Navigation and Environmental Concerns

Minister José Manuel Albares wanted to express to Morocco his disagreement with the installation of this fish farm in Spanish territorial waters, diplomatic sources tell El Pais. According to him, this illegal occupation is a threat to the safety of navigation and the environment.

To read: Spanish Navy Warns of Moroccan Encroachment Near Chafarinas Islands

At the same time, the Ministry of Transport ordered the Spanish company Morenot, which has installed the marine cages without authorization for the Moroccan company Mediterranean Aquafarm SA, the concessionaire of the fish farm, to remove these facilities within a period of 20 days, under penalty of suffering the rigors of the law. The Zaffarines and the surrounding waters are declared a Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA) and a Site of Community Importance (SIC) of the Natura 2000 Network.

To read: Moroccan Fishing Boats Encroach on Spanish Waters Near Ceuta

For Rabat, these maritime spaces (Zaffarines, the Badis rock and Al Hoceima) are part of its territory, but Spain is convinced of the contrary. Since March 7, the Moroccan authorities have issued the permit to install the fish farm to the concessionaire company. At the beginning of this month, 16 cages, a kind of fish traps, were installed in these waters.

To read: Spanish Far-Right Party Vox Alleges Moroccan Encroachment Near Chafarinas Islands

In October, the far-right party Vox had alerted to this fish farm installation. In response, the government simply indicated that the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food had not received any request or communication from a company or Moroccan authorities to install a fish farm near the Zaffarines.