Spain and Mauritania discuss fisheries cooperation ahead of agreement renewal talks

Spain’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food, Luis Planas, met with his Mauritanian counterpart in Nouakchott on July 22 to discuss strengthening fisheries collaboration ahead of upcoming negotiations to renew the European Union (EU) fishing agreement with the West African nation.

The minister described the EU-Mauritania fishing agreement, which expires in November 2026, as the "most important" of those signed by the EU with third countries and of particular relevance to Spanish trawler fleets. In 2024, a total of 33 Spanish vessels were licensed to fish in Mauritanian waters, catching nearly 15,737 tons. Negotiations for the renewal of the agreement are scheduled to begin this November.

The ministry added that Mauritania is also the top destination for Spanish vessel exports, with 33 in the last 10 years.

During the meeting, Spain requested that any biological shutdowns ordered by Mauritania be communicated with sufficient advance notice to the Spanish and European fleets to avoid "potential economic losses."

Planas also offered the use of Spain's fisheries cooperation training vessel, Intermares, to provide training to Mauritanian professionals in 2026.