This article was featured in Eurofish Magazine 5 2025.
Spain, a member of the European Union, and Mauritania, an African country, met in late July to consolidate and strengthen fishing cooperation between the two countries. The meeting reinforces the pair’s collaboration as talks begin to renew the EU-Mauritania fisheries protocol ending in late 2026. This agreement impacts Spain, as Mauritania is a leading destination for Spanish fishing vessel exports. Over 30 Spanish fishing vessels operated in Mauritian waters last year, capturing nearly 16,000 tons of fish. The agreement does not only allow Spain to fish in Mauritania but also requires the Spanish fleets to employ local sailors. During the meeting, both ministers emphasised the importance of strengthening training programs and cooperations for these sailors. Spain agreed to launch a nautical training program called Intermares beginning in 2026. The meeting also concluded with a mutual agreement to better communicate closures in Mauritania’s waters to EU fleets in order to prevent economic losses. As negotiations progress over the course of the next year, both countries aim to align their resource sharing agreements and ensure fair representation and training within local fisheries.