On July 14, 2026, the European Parliament voted to approve an updated fisheries protocol between the European Union and Morocco, which explicitly excludes the waters of Western Sahara from its scope. The decision follows a 2024 ruling by the European Court of Justice that invalidated previous agreements for failing to obtain consent from the Sahrawi people.
The new protocol, part of the EU-Morocco Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement, runs for four years and allows EU vessels to fish in Moroccan waters. It includes enhanced transparency measures and a clause ensuring that no fishing activities occur in waters adjacent to Western Sahara, a disputed territory claimed by both Morocco and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.
The vote was 364 in favor, 196 against, with 72 abstentions. Supporters, including the European Commission, argued the deal respects international law and provides economic benefits to Morocco. Critics, including some MEPs and human rights groups, contend that the exclusion of Western Sahara is insufficient and that the agreement still legitimizes Morocco's control over the territory.
Western Sahara has been a flashpoint for decades, with the Polisario Front seeking independence. The EU has faced legal challenges over its fisheries deals, and the new protocol is seen as an attempt to align with court rulings while maintaining ties with Rabat.
