Conflict Over the Delimitation of Waters Between Spain and Morocco

Abstract

This paper analyzes the conflict generated by the unilateral delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) by Morocco in 2020, which directly affects the waters adjacent to the Canary Islands archipelago and the Tropic seamount region. It examines Morocco's strategic motivations -territorial, economic and geopolitical- as well as the Spanish State's response, based on international law of the sea and bilateral dialogue mechanisms. The study underlines the growing relevance of marine resources in contemporary international politics and proposes ways for a cooperative resolution of the dispute, taking into account both the legal framework of UNCLOS and shared economic and environmental interests.