Morocco bans driftnets An amendment to the Law on the organization of fishing has been published. Under the new provision, it is forbidden to use, possess, manufacture or sell the driftnets . Any violation of this provision is punishable by law. This program requires a budget of 130 million DH. The penalty can range from three months to one year in prison and fines between 5,000 and 1 million DH. After the enactment of the implementing decree, the fishermen have a period of four months to provide delegations of the Department of Marine Fisheries to declare the number and characteristics of driftnets. The non-reporting is also sanctioned. The destruction of these nets will be in charge and under the responsibility of their owners. The application of this Act shall come into force one year after its publication in the Official Bulletin. Ie August 2, 2011. This law takes place 3 years after Morocco had signed an agreement with the EU for banning these nets. The agreement provides funding for the destruction of fishing equipment. "Fishermen have to give up these nets with compensation. Moreover, the ministry has stated that funds are ready to be released, "says Mohamed Abakrim, president of the Association of Trawler Owners at port Beni Nsar. To finance this measure, an amount of about 130 million DH is planned. "Fishermen and ship-owners using these nets are ready to completely abandon their business against compensation," said Abakrim. This legal measure is also involved in order to protect the environment and the marine ecosystem.