The Fisheries Committee of the European Parliament has voted against renewing the fishing agreement with Mauretania, a move which will affect 25 trawlers in Huelva. The full session of Parliament will have to rule on the matter in July.
The rejection of the agreement was by 16 votes to 9 with 1 abstention. The agreement was for a two year period allowing access to Mauretanian fishing grounds for vessels from 12 member states, including Spain. The main stumbling block to renewal was apparently restrictions on fishing for octopus.
In Huelva, 25 trawlers are now paralysed as a result of the rejection.