Russian fleet has entered Saharawi waters
Article image
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:

  • The m.v. Lazurnyy and the m.v. Zamoskvorechye are located on the mid-coast, between Dakhla and Bojador.
  • South of the Bay of Cintra and northwest of Cape Blanc, the m.v. Oleg Naydenov and the m.v. Humpback Whale are fishing.
  • Just further south the m.v. Aleksandr Mironenko and the m.v. Alexander Kosarev may be moving in to fish, but it is unclear if they are actually fishing. Aleksandr Mironenko has been fishing in Western Sahara on numerous occasions in the past.



  • Bureau Veritas backs Moroccan Prime Minister in occupied Western Sahara

    The firm announces it will render its services to a project that raises deep concerns over international law and human rights.

    27 June 2025

    WSRW report: Record low number of phosphate importers

    For the twelfth year in a row, WSRW publishes a detailed, annual overview of the companies involved in the purchase of phosphates from occupied Western Sahara. 

    26 June 2025

    SRI update

    The following overview enlists stock-exchange registered companies with current or recent operations in occupied Western Sahara. Updated 21 June 2025.

    21 June 2025

    Japanese conflict mineral importer identified

    WSRW has traced the imports of phosphate rock to a dock just adjacent to a subsidiary of Japanese company Taiheiyo Cement Corporation. 

    16 June 2025