Last week, the EU endorsed a fishing deal with Morocco. This wouldn't be a problem if it weren't for the fact that the deal includes the coastal waters of Western Sahara, a territory that has been occupied by Morroco for more than thirty years. The Brussels Journal, 25 May 2006.

The UK has said a new European fisheries agreement with Morocco will have to be closely monitored to ensure it does not break international law.

EU governments have given final approval to a deal that will allow European trawlers to catch fish along Morocco's Atlantic coast. 

The British Government has been condemned by War on Want and campaign groups from across Europe today for supporting a Fisheries Agreement that will allow European ships to fish off the coast of illegally occupied Western Sahara, despite claims that this violates international law. Sweden stood alone in opposing the Agreement though Finland, the Netherlands and Ireland conditioned their support with a statement that the Agreement should benefit the “local population” of Western Sahara. Press release by War on Want, 22 May 2006.

Statement on EU-Morocco fisheries agreement by Mohamed Sidati, Minister Delegate for Europe, Polisario.

The exiled political leaders of Western Sahara have warned that a €144-million fisheries deal agreed by the EU and Morocco could spark civil unrest in the territory. Irish Times, 22 May 2006.

Here is the EU-Moroccan Fisheries Partnership Agreement of 2006, in several languages.

Interview with the UN's former legal chief, Hans Corell. Swedish Radio, Eko, 22 May 2006

The EU has voted to steal fish from the displaced people of Western Sahara, writes columnist John Hilary, 17 May 2006.

FishUpdate, 18 May 2006.

FishUpdate.com, 17 May 2006.

Press release from The Greens, 16 May 2006.

Press release from the Fish Elsewhere campaign, 16 May 2006.

AN MEP today voiced his reservations over the outcome of a controversial Euro vote. FishUpdate.com, 16 May 2006.

Letter from the Sahrawi human rights activists and prisoners of conscience denounce EU fisheries and foreign oil industry in Western Sahara, 16 May 2006.

Press release, 3 May 2006.

Kerr-McGee is pulling out of Western Sahara following pressure from activists pushing for Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) independence from Morocco.

EU Observer, 9 March 2006.

Afrol News, 7 March 2006.

Campaigners from 19 European countries came together today to stop the European Union ratifying an Agreement which will violate international law and see European boats fishing in the waters of Africa’s last colony. Press release, 13 February 2006.