Russian fleet has entered Saharawi waters
2 weeks after Russia and Morocco signed a new fisheries agreement, the Russian fishing fleet has entered the waters offshore occupied Western Sahara.
Published 26 December 2012
Photo above: Russian trawler Admiral Starikov bunkering in Las Palmas in 2008. After some months pause, the Russian fleet returned to waters of occupied Western Sahara in December 2012
On 10 December, the Russian and Moroccan governments signed a controversial four year fisheries agreement. The agreement allowed 10 Russian trawlers to fish in Moroccan waters. But already now, 2 weeks later, it is clear that the agreement is being applied also offshore the territory of Western Sahara, which is under Moroccan occupation. Such fishing is clearly in violation of international law.
As of 26 December 2012, between four and six Russian vessels are engaged in fishing in the waters off occupied Western Sahara:
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