The European Parliament approved a fisheries agreement reached in July 2018 between the European Union and Morocco in a plenary session held Feb. 12.

Following the approval of the agreement, the EU fleet is expected to return to Moroccan waters before the summer.

The approval is still subject to the ratification by the Moroccan Parliament and the signature of Morocco’s King Mohamed VI.

Some 138 EU-flagged will be allowed to operate in Moroccan waters under the new agreement, which includes improvements for fishing fleets regarding operability and flexibility for compliance with the landing obligations in Morocco among others.

Fishing activities by EU vessels in Moroccan waters have been suspended since July 14, when the previous protocol expired.