Business · Trade · 21 hrs ago
EU-Mauritania fishing deal set to expire without a renewal agreement
The EU fishing deal with Mauritania is due to expire at midnight on Saturday, with no renewal agreed.
It allows EU vessels to fish in Mauritanian waters, where catches include tuna, prawns and squid.
The talks have stalled over how much the EU pays Mauritania for access to its waters.
Around 30 Spanish boats, and about twice as many from across the EU, are preparing to leave; even if a deal is reached, they would need weeks to meet any new conditions.
Spanish fishing groups warn that the stoppage could cost Andalusian vessel owners about €50 million.
Spain says boats may be able to move to waters off Portugal or Guinea-Bissau, but the industry warns that not all vessels can find alternatives and that extra fishing could put pressure on Guinea-Bissau's fishing grounds.
The European Commission has told EU countries fishing must stop in the Mauritanian zone from Sunday at 00:00; Spain is still urging a last-minute deal, while Galicia has called for alternative grounds or financial support if no extension is reached.
The European Union’s fishing agreement with Mauritania is due to expire at midnight on Saturday, with no renewal deal reached.
The agreement allows EU vessels to fish in Mauritanian waters for up to 280,000 tonnes of tuna, prawns and squid.
About 30 Spanish vessels and roughly twice as many EU vessels in total are preparing to leave the fishing grounds.
Talks have stalled over the financial compensation the EU pays Mauritania for access to its waters.
Spanish fishing groups warn that the suspension could cause losses and are seeking alternative fishing grounds or financial support.
- Who
- The European Union and Mauritania, with EU fishing fleets affected.
- What
- Their fishing agreement is set to expire without a renewal deal. EU vessels will no longer be authorised to fish in the area after it expires.
- When
- It is due to expire at midnight on Saturday, 14 November 2026.
- Where
- Mauritanian fishing waters.
- Why
- The talks have stalled over the financial compensation the EU pays Mauritania for fishing access.
European Union
Mauritania
Compensation
European Union
The EU pays compensation for access to Mauritanian waters; the amount or terms it seeks are not stated.
Mauritania
Mauritania’s position on the compensation is not stated; the sources say the disagreement concerns the compensation paid.
The date of 14 November 2026 was marked as the expiry date of the latest version of the Mauritania protocol.
The Andalusian regional government offered to help European institutions accelerate negotiations.
The latest version of the protocol is due to expire at midnight.
The European Commission said EU member states’ vessels would no longer be authorised to fish in the Mauritanian zone.
- Expiry date
- 14 November 2026
- Maximum catch under the agreement
- 280,000 tonnes
- Spanish vessels preparing to leave
- About 30
- Galician vessels fishing in the area
- 10
- Estimated losses for Andalusian shipowners
- €50 million
- Alternatives named by Spain
- Waters of Portugal and Guinea-Bissau
What people are saying
We have until midnight on Saturday.
the vessels are expected to leave on Saturday to make the most of the fishing time they have left.
We continue to ask the European Commission to make one final effort to agree an extension that would allow the entire fleet covered by the protocol to continue fishing in Mauritania.
this relocation could overload Guinea-Bissau’s fishing grounds, so the most reasonable thing would be for them to stop, but if they remain stopped, they have no income.